Brazilian labor authorities have alleged that 163 Chinese workers at a construction site for a BYD factory in Bahia are victims of human trafficking. The claims have escalated tensions surrounding the Chinese electric vehicle giant’s operations in its largest overseas market.

Brazil has stopped issuing temporary work visas for BYD , the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Friday, in the wake of accusations that some workers at a site owned by the Chinese electric vehicle producer had been victims of human trafficking.

Chinese workers at BYD's factory site in Brazil's Bahia were identified as human trafficking victims. The company and contractor Jinjiang Group are negotiating contract terminations for 163 workers. Allegations of slavery-like conditions create a potential diplomatic issue amid China's deepening investment in Brazil.

RIO DE JANEIRO – Chinese workers found at a construction site for a factory owned by China’s electric vehicle (EV) producer BYD in Brazil’s Bahia state are victims of human trafficking, the Brazilian labour authorities said on Dec 26.

Chinese workers at a construction site in Brazil for a factory owned by China's electric vehicle producer BYD are victims of human trafficking, Brazilian labor authorities said on Thursday in a growing controversy in BYD's biggest overseas market.

Brazil has suspended temporary work visas for BYD following allegations of human trafficking at its construction site in Bahia. Labor authorities revealed 163 workers from China were brought under 'slavery-like' conditions by contractor Jinjiang Group.

Authorities in Brazil said Friday they were probing Chinese auto giant BYD and one of its contractors for suspected "trafficking" of Chinese workers who were building a factory in the

Allegations spark tensions as BYD cuts ties with contractor amid labor rights concerns, passport disputes, and China's push for stronger Brazil ties.