Brazilian labor prosecutors filed a lawsuit Tuesday against Chinese automaker BYD and contractors JinJiang and Tecmonta, according to Reuters. The lawsuit accuses them of human trafficking and subjecting 220 Chinese workers to “slavery-like conditions” while constructing a factory in Bahia. The suit seeks $45 million in moral damages and additional compensation for affected workers and an additional $8,861 for each labor law violation, per worker. BYD stated it respects labor laws and is cooperating with authorities. Talks to resolve the matter collapsed in December, but prosecutors say a settlement remains possible through the courts.
