Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD has severed its partnership with Jinjiang Construction Brazil Ltd. after Brazilian authorities uncovered severe labor violations at a new factory site in Bahia state.

The Labor Prosecutor’s Office reported the rescue of 163 workers subjected to “slavery”-like conditions.

Prosecutors revealed that workers were living in overcrowded housing with inadequate facilities.

Several employees had their passports withheld and faced deductions from salaries.

They also bore responsibility for airfare costs that left them unpaid if they quit within six months. One worker suffered an accident after 25 consecutive days of labor.

BYD confirmed the termination of its contract with Jinjiang Construction and plans to relocate the affected workers to hotel accommodations.

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