Brazil shuts BYD factory site over 'slavery' conditions

More than 160 workers have been rescued from the car factory, according to local prosecutors.

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More than 160 workers have been rescued in Brazil's northeastern state of Bahia, according to a statement from the Public Labour Prosecutor's Office (MPT).

They were allegedly put in a "degrading" environment and had their passports and salaries withheld by a building company.

BYD said in a statement that it had cut ties with the firm involved and remained committed to a "full compliance with Brazilian legislation".

The factory was scheduled to be operational by March 2025, and was set to be BYD's first EV plant outside of Asia.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c8xj9jp57r2o

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