Brazilian prosecutors sue Chinese carmaker BYD over labour conditions
Al Jazeera3 days
Brazil Prosecutors Sue BYD Over Labor Allegations
Above: A BYD factory under construction in Camaçari, near Salvador, Brazil, on Jan. 10, 2025. Image copyright: Tuane Fernandes/Contributor/Bloomberg via Getty Images
The Spin
Anti-China narrative
BYD is just another Chinese company to exploit workers and circumvent local labor laws in an aggressive global expansion. Chinese companies all too often import their own workforce instead of hiring locals and maintaining slave-like working conditions in breach of international labor standards. This situation is even more concerning due to China's growing influence worldwide.
Pro-China narrative
Allegations against the Chinese EV giant represent a calculated attempt to undermine Chinese business interests in Brazil and elsewhere, in a desperate bid to try to harm its growing economic and political influence in Brazil and around the world. BYD has long followed standard labor practices and remains committed to protecting workers.