Brazil prosecutors sue BYD for violating labour rights

Brazilian labour prosecutors filed a public civil action against Chinese carmaker BYD for alleged human trafficking and "slavery-like conditions" for workers, according to a statement from the labour prosecutor's office issued on Tuesday.

Prosecutors are seeking R$257 million ($45 million) in moral damages from BYD and two other companies, according to the statement. They are also requesting individual compensation for the workers. Prosecutors also want the companies to comply with various labour rules and seek a fine of R$50,000 for each breach multiplied by the number of affected workers.

BYD did not immediately respond to a request for comment.


The lawsuit targets BYD as well as its contractors JinJiang Construction Brazil Ltd and Tonghe Equipamentos Inteligentes do Brasil Co., currently known as Tecmonta. Last December, prosecutors said, 220 Chinese workers, hired by BYD contractors in the Brazilian state of Bahia, were found working in "slavery-like conditions."

Prosecutors said they were also victims of international human trafficking.

($1 = R$5.6573)