BYD Brazil scandal exposes flaws in Chinese investment – DW – 01/08/2025
www.dw.com
"Slavery-like" working conditions have been uncovered at the Chinese EV maker's factory site in Brazil, casting a spotlight on the standards maintained by Chinese companies outsourcing workers at foreign locations.

Summary

Brazilian authorities uncovered “slavery-like” conditions at BYD’s factory construction site in Bahia, rescuing 163 Chinese workers subjected to withheld passports, withheld wages, and unsanitary conditions.

The site, managed by contractor Jinjiang Group, was shut down, and BYD faces scrutiny despite its promises to cooperate.

The case highlights tensions between Chinese investment and local labor standards, sparking debates in Brazil and China over worker rights.

Experts see this as an example for Chinese investors to respect Brazil’s independent judiciary while noting it won’t deter future Chinese investments.

    • Flying SquidMEnglish
      3•8 hours ago

      Okay.

      You say that as if Western nations aren’t themselves brutal, oppressive and exploitative.

      Still looks like “What about the Western nations? No one is completely blameless.” To me.

      • @[email protected]English
        0•7 hours ago

        “What about the Western nations? No one is completely blameless.”

        That would only make sense if I had introduced the concept of Western nations. OP did that, not me.

        Maybe re-read not just what I wrote, but the whole thread.

        • Flying SquidMEnglish
          0•7 hours ago

          Okay, I’ve re-read the thread.

          It still looks like you’re both engaging in whataboutism to me. You still haven’t explained how this is not implying that no one is completely blameless, making the argument invalid.

          • @[email protected]English
            1•5 hours ago

            It still looks like you’re both engaging in whataboutism to me.

            shrug

            https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reason ?

            You still haven’t explained how this is not implying that …

            It’s not on me to show that what I’ve said is not something you think it is, it’s on you to show that what I’ve said is something you think it is.

            • Flying SquidMEnglish
              0•5 hours ago

              You’re denying you’re engaging in whataboutism, so yes it is on you. You have made a claim now.

              • @[email protected]English
                1•5 hours ago

                You have made a claim now.

                It’s you who made the claim that I am engaging in “whataboutism”. It’s on you to show that what you’ve said is true.

                • Flying SquidMEnglish
                  0•4 hours ago

                  I already did. More than once. And then you made the claim that you were not. So the burden of proof is now on you. It’s not my fault if you made a claim you can’t back up.

                  Incidentally, you haven’t even bothered explaining what you did mean if you weren’t engaging in whataboutism and I think we both know why.

                  • @[email protected]English
                    1•4 hours ago

                    I already did.

                    I don’t believe you have. Could you quote the text where you demonstrate that I’m engaging in “whataboutism”?

                    you haven’t even bothered explaining what you did mean if you weren’t engaging in whataboutism

                    I meant what I wrote. If you’re confused about the meaning of anything I’ve written, feel free to ask me to clarify, I’m happy to explain.

                    I think we both know why

                    I think you’re not engaging in this discussion in good faith.