Brazilian authorities reported that the 163 people rescued were of Chinese nationality and lived and worked in unhealthy and degrading conditions.

Chinese automaker BYD reported that on Monday, the 23rd, it received a notification from the Brazilian Public Ministry of Labor that the subcontracted construction company Jinjiang Construction Brazil Ltda. had committed serious irregularities after finding around 1,63 workers in conditions similar to slavery on the construction sites of the company's car factory in the state of Bahia.

“BYD Auto do Brasil reiterates its commitment to fully comply with Brazilian legislation, especially with regard to the protection of workers’ rights. For this reason, it has been collaborating with the competent bodies from the very beginning and decided to terminate the contract with the Jinjiang construction company,” said Alexandre Baldy, Senior Vice President of BYD Brazil.

It should be noted that Jinjiang Construction Brazil Ltda. was the contractor hired by BYD to carry out part of the work at the Camaçari (BA) factory. The company also stated that the subcontracted employees will not be harmed by this decision, "as it will ensure that all their rights are guaranteed."

In this regard, BYD has ordered that the 163 workers of this construction company be transferred to hotels in the region. "BYD Auto do Brasil had already been carrying out, during the last few weeks, a detailed review of the working and living conditions of all employees of the subcontracted construction companies responsible for the work, notifying these companies several times and even making adjustments as necessary," it said in a statement.

Brazilian authorities reported that the 163 rescued workers were of Chinese nationality and lived and worked in unhealthy and degrading conditions.

The construction company also withheld 60% of their salaries and their passports and imposed harsh punishments to discourage them from resigning, which Brazilian authorities described as "forced labour".