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Serious accidents at BYD factory in Camaçari leave Chinese workers injured. Union denounces precarious safety conditions.
When Brazil receives large international investments, eyes turn to promises of progress and innovation.
However, behind the scenes of these impressive works, stories emerge that reveal a high human price.
This is what happened recently in Camaçari, in the Metropolitan Region of Salvador, where two Chinese workers suffered serious accidents during construction work on a new factory belonging to the automotive giant BYD.
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According to website information 24 Hour Mail, The incidents occurred on consecutive days and raised concerns about safety conditions at the site.
Lei Wu, one of the victims, suffered a exposed fracture in the leg in an accident registered on Sunday (1st).
The other worker, identified as Pan Gao, faced an equally worrying situation when he lost a finger during an incident on Monday afternoon (2). Both were taken to Santa Helena Hospital for emergency medical care.
The union repercussion
The complaints quickly reached the Union of Civil Construction, Assembly and Industrial Maintenance Workers of Camaçari and Region (SINDTICCC).
Representatives of the entity were quick to react, organizing a protest at the site on Tuesday morning (3).
During the demonstration, union members reinforced their criticism of the conditions offered to workers involved in the project.
According to Correio 24 Horas, there are still no exact details about how the accidents happened. However, the union reinforced the urgency of reviews in safety practices and an in-depth investigation into the case.
Remember the BYD case
Under promises of progress, the BYD factory in Bahia reveals its darkest side: workers face mistreatment, aggression and sub-human conditions.
With investigations ongoing, the case raises questions about the real cost of technological advancement.
The ambitious project by BYD, the Chinese automaker that took over the space left by Ford in Camaçari, Bahia, is facing controversy after allegations about the treatment given to workers during the construction of the new factory.
A publication by journalist André Uzêda, from Public Agency portal, shows allegations of physical aggression, unsanitary conditions and exhausting workdays imposed on Chinese people living here, calling into question the execution of the work, which promises to be a milestone for Brazil's transition to electric vehicles.
Although BYD denied direct involvement in the irregularities, transferring responsibility to its contracted contractors, the accusations caught the attention of inspection bodies and reignited the debate on working conditions in large infrastructure projects in the country.
Promise of development versus reality on the construction site
Since announcing his arrival in Brazil, BYD promised to revolutionize the national electric vehicle market, with an initial investment of R$5,5 billion and the generation of up to 20 thousand direct and indirect jobs.
The Camaçari industrial plant, located on a 4,6 million square meter plot of land provided by the state government, is seen as a key point for consolidating the automaker in the Brazilian market.
According to André Uzêda, the construction, however, is hampered by reports of abuse. Images circulating on social media show Chinese workers drinking water from puddles due to the lack of adequate water supply at the site.
Furthermore, videos recorded at the construction site show moments of physical violence, such as punches and kicks applied by supervisors, who apparently used force as a method of discipline.
These facts raised questions about compliance with occupational safety standards and labor rights provided for in Brazilian legislation.
According to Consolidation of Labor Laws (CLT), all employees, whether national or foreign, must have access to safe conditions, regulated working hours and adequate breaks.
Outsourcing contracts: who is responsible?
The accusations fall largely on the contractors hired by BYD to carry out the work.
Jinjiang Group, responsible for earthmoving and construction activities, was identified as the main focus of the complaints.
According to documents revealed by Public Agency, the Chinese workers, who number around 470, were placed in precarious conditions, with working hours exceeding 12 hours a day and without proper breaks for food or rest.
The automaker BYD, in a note, stated that the responsibility for complying with labor standards lies with the contracted companies and that it is monitoring the progress of the investigations conducted by the Public Ministry of Labor (MPT).
Still, activists and labor rights experts question the company's lack of direct oversight over conditions on the site.
For André Uzêda, a journalist who brought the allegations to light, the situation exposes a structural problem in global production chains: “Multinational companies often outsource responsibilities to contractors, making it difficult to identify those directly responsible in cases of abuse.”
Action by the Public Ministry of Labor
After the repercussion of the complaints, the Public Ministry of Labor began an investigation at the factory's construction site.
According to André Uzêda, during a recent inspection, inspectors identified specific irregularities, but did not carry out a complete assessment of all spaces and accommodation.
The investigation remains open, and the conclusions could lead to fines, bans or even liability for BYD if negligence in monitoring the activities of its contractors is proven.
For experts, it is essential that the case be treated rigorously, as it could set an important precedent for foreign companies operating in Brazil.
Impacts on BYD's project and reputation
BYD's factory in Camaçari is considered one of the company's main projects outside China, especially due to the potential of the Brazilian market for electric vehicles.
Production at the unit will range from automobiles to batteries and components, with a focus on exporting to other Latin American countries.
However, the controversy generated by the allegations could affect both the company's schedule and image.
The first phase of the work, initially scheduled to be completed in December 2024, was postponed to January 2025.
Furthermore, the reported conditions may put off future investors or even consumers, who expect high ethical standards from brands associated with sustainability.
Rights of foreign workers in Brazil
Brazilian law is clear about protecting the rights of foreign workers. They have the same rights as nationals, including fair pay, regulated working hours and decent working conditions.
Furthermore, international conventions signed by Brazil guarantee the safety and well-being of migrant workers, imposing additional responsibilities on employing companies.
However, in practice, Chinese workers face cultural and linguistic barriers that make it difficult to formalize complaints.
The lack of interpreters or mediators on site contributes to the isolation of these workers, who often rely exclusively on their employers to resolve conflicts or deal with bureaucratic issues.
The state government and inspection
The participation of the government of Bahia, which ceded the land of the former Ford factory to BYD, was also the target of criticism.
For some analysts, enthusiasm for the project may have overshadowed the need for stricter oversight.
Governor Jerônimo Rodrigues, present at the contract signing ceremony, has not yet made an official statement about the allegations.
Perspectives and lessons for the future
While the allegations against BYD are serious, they are not an isolated case.
In Brazil, large-scale projects often face similar criticism, whether due to a lack of compliance with labor laws or a failure to ensure decent conditions for workers.
The situation at the factory in Camaçari highlights the importance of stricter inspection and greater accountability on the part of contracting companies.
For experts, transparency and commitment to human rights must be fundamental pillars of any enterprise, especially in high-visibility sectors such as electric vehicles.
As investigations continue, it remains to be seen whether BYD will be able to overcome the impact of these allegations and reaffirm its commitment to the values of sustainability and innovation that it so strongly promotes.
What do you think about this alleged different treatment of Chinese employees at the Brazilian factory, reader? Leave your opinion in the comments!
What is the Dark side that is written in the title of this article, lol
The idea that there is a dark side represents the complexity of personalities and situations. I can describe this view as a psychological explanation to understand the conscious and unconscious energies that govern human behavior, and the theme recorded in the article is related to these areas.
Send me to Banzaê to the city hall works and you will see things