According to Reuters, electric vehicle producer BYD (Build Your Dreams) faces scrutiny in Brazil after hundreds of Chinese workers were brought into the country on irregular visas, according to a key labor inspector. The workers, who were employed to build a factory in Bahia, were found to be in what Brazilian authorities described as “slavery-like conditions.”
Liane Durao, a labor inspector with Brazil’s Ministry of Labour, told Reuters that 163 workers employed by BYD’s contractor, Jinjiang Group, were rescued in December after authorities discovered they had been working under illegal and abusive conditions. The workers were subsequently sent back to China, with the contractor agreeing to cover the costs of their return.
BYD, which has invested $620 million in its Bahia factory to produce electric vehicles for the Brazilian market, has pledged to comply with Brazilian labor laws for the workers who will remain in the country. Durao confirmed that the company had committed to improving working conditions to meet local standards.
The labor inspector also noted that BYD would be fined for each worker found in violation of the country’s labor regulations, although the total amount of the fine has not been disclosed.
While BYD has denied the allegations and claims the visas were issued properly, the investigation into labor violations has raised concerns about working conditions in Chinese-owned enterprises abroad. The probe into BYD could complicate Brazil's relationship with China, which has become a major investor in the country.
Labor authorities are continuing to monitor the situation, ensuring that no remaining workers are subjected to exploitation as the investigation progresses. The case highlights broader issues surrounding foreign investment in Brazil and local job creation, a priority for President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
BYD surpassed Tesla in fourth-quarter EV deliveries, with a 13.1% sales increase, while Tesla saw a 5% rise.
Toyota’s global production declined for the 10th consecutive month in November, down 6.2% year-on-year. However, the automaker saw a 1.7% increase in worldwide sales, marking the second consecutive month of growth.
China’s BYD is set to surpass its 2024 sales target of 4 million vehicles, overtaking Honda and Ford globally. Driven by strong domestic demand, BYD’s market share and production capacity continue to soar, solidifying its position as an EV leader.
Amid growing global attention on Greenland’s sovereignty, residents and leaders of the Arctic island have firmly rejected U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's remarks about potentially using military or economic measures to control the territory.
The body of Youssef Ziyadne, an Israeli Bedouin taken hostage during the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack, was found in a Gaza tunnel, with evidence suggesting his son may also have been killed, the Israeli military confirmed on Wednesday.
Greenlandic Finance Minister Erik Jensen firmly rejected any notion of Greenland being sold, as tensions rose over U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's recent comments on taking control of the Arctic island.
Impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has barricaded himself in his Seoul residence for a fifth day as authorities seek his arrest on insurrection charges. Amid rising protests and tensions, the standoff follows Yoon's controversial martial law decree and subsequent impeachment.
Devastating wildfires fueled by powerful winds force mass evacuations in Los Angeles, scorching homes and landmarks as firefighters battle uncontained blazes across the region.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has highlighted the importance of improved coordination between military and civilian services following the Azerbaijan Airlines plane crash near Aktau, Kazakhstan, which resulted in 38 fatalities.
A 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck Tibet's Himalayan foothills, killing at least 100 and shaking Nepal, Bhutan, and India. Tremors reached as far as Kathmandu and Thimphu.
Samsung Electronics, the global leader in memory chips, smartphones, and televisions, has released its fourth-quarter operating profit estimate, revealing a significant shortfall compared to analyst expectations. The South Korean tech giant reported an estimated operating profit of 6.5 trillion won.
Philips has sold its chipmaking subsidiary, Xiver, to a consortium led by Orange Mills Ventures, marking another step in the company’s shift away from semiconductor operations, Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf reported.
A coalition of self-driving car companies is urging the U.S. government to accelerate efforts to deploy autonomous vehicles, citing regulatory delays and growing international competition.
Nvidia unveils AI breakthroughs at CES 2025, introducing Cosmos models for training robots and cars, advanced gaming chips, and new automotive tech with Toyota, targeting $5B revenue by 2026.
International tech innovators arrived in Las Vegas, to represent and try out the latest gadgets and innovations ahead of CES 2025.
Amid growing global attention on Greenland’s sovereignty, residents and leaders of the Arctic island have firmly rejected U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's remarks about potentially using military or economic measures to control the territory.
The body of Youssef Ziyadne, an Israeli Bedouin taken hostage during the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack, was found in a Gaza tunnel, with evidence suggesting his son may also have been killed, the Israeli military confirmed on Wednesday.
Greenlandic Finance Minister Erik Jensen firmly rejected any notion of Greenland being sold, as tensions rose over U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's recent comments on taking control of the Arctic island.
Impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has barricaded himself in his Seoul residence for a fifth day as authorities seek his arrest on insurrection charges. Amid rising protests and tensions, the standoff follows Yoon's controversial martial law decree and subsequent impeachment.
Devastating wildfires fueled by powerful winds force mass evacuations in Los Angeles, scorching homes and landmarks as firefighters battle uncontained blazes across the region.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment