Beijing asks firms to follow laws after Brazil rescues Chinese workers from ‘slavery-like’ conditions

“Chinese government attaches great importance to protecting the legitimate rights and interests of workers and has always required Chinese-funded enterprises to operate in accordance with laws and regulations,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun told reporters in Beijing.

The statement came in response to reports that the Chinese electric vehicle company BYD brought hundreds of Chinese workers with irregular visas to its factory in Brazil, pledging to provide appropriate conditions.

Guo said China is willing to continue working with Brazil to strengthen cooperation in all fields based on the principles of equality, mutual benefit, and win-win cooperation.

Last month, the Latin American nation rescued 163 Chinese nationals from "slavery-like" conditions at a construction site in northeastern Brazil, where the Chinese electric vehicle giant is building a factory.

Brazil’s Labor Prosecutor’s Office released footage showing dormitories with beds lacking mattresses and rooms devoid of storage for personal belongings.

The site, located in Camacari in the Salvador metropolitan area, exposed workers to critical sanitary conditions, including one toilet for every 31 people, prosecutors said. Workers woke up at 4 a.m. to line up for facilities before starting their shifts at 5:30 a.m.

Prosecutors said the workers had been recruited in China by Jinjiang Construction Brazil, a contractor on the site.

The company allegedly confiscated workers’ passports, withheld 60% of their wages, and required those who quit to pay for their return airfare and associated costs.

Attempts to contact Jinjiang Construction in Brazil were unsuccessful, as no phone number or email address was readily available.

BYD had said it would "immediately terminate the contract" with Jinjiang and is exploring further appropriate measures.