After shocking allegations of slave-like conditions involving 163 Chinese workers, BYD breaks with the accused contractor and hires a Brazilian company to recover its factory in Camaçari, Bahia.
Have you ever stopped to think about the impact that working conditions have on the reputation of large companies? BYD, a Chinese automotive giant, recently felt this first-hand. After serious allegations involving workers at its factory in Camaçari, Bahia, the company took drastic measures to repair the damage and prevent further problems.
Understand the case: Complaints about BYD works in Bahia
It all started with an operation in December 2024, when a task force led by the Public Ministry of Labor (MPT) found 163 Chinese workers living in conditions that could be described as scenes from a nightmare. Having to sleep on a paper-thin mattress, eating next to construction materials or facing exhausting shifts of up to 70 hours a week.
The situation was considered so serious that construction work on the factory was partially halted. The Chinese company Jinjiang, hired by BYD to manage the construction, was accused of practices such as withholding passports and wages, as well as negligence towards the safety and well-being of workers.
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BYD's response: Changes and hiring of a new construction company
According to the UOL website, with the negative repercussions, BYD wasted no time. The first action was to terminate the contract with Jinjiang. Then, it temporarily hired Sepeng Engenharia, a Brazilian construction company, to make the necessary adjustments to the embargoed work.
Sepeng, hired by BYD, was tasked with tasks such as regulating safety standards, installing rest areas and improving the site's signage. The most interesting thing? A good portion of the 100 new workers are residents of Camaçari, reinforcing the positive impact on the local economy.
Local Impact: Brazilian Workers and Regulation
This change is not just symbolic. Hiring local workers brings a boost to the region's economy, as well as ensuring that safety standards and working conditions are respected. After all, Brazil has labor legislation strict that cannot be ignored.
Emergency measures, such as housing foreign workers in hotels and ensuring decent conditions, show BYD's efforts to regain its credibility.
Commitment to the future: Compliance measures and new infrastructure
Recognizing the gravity of the situation, BYD has created a compliance committee to monitor and ensure that cases like this do not happen again. The group includes lawyers, labor law experts and external consultants.
Another significant change was the restructuring of the facilities for workers, who now have rooms equipped with TV and air conditioning. The images released by the company show a clear attempt to turn the page and demonstrate respect for Brazilian standards.