Unsanitary conditions at BYD’s Brazil EV plant trigger workers’ protest and expose ongoing exploitation
Source: Times Brasil
On December 2, 2025, workers at BYD’s electric vehicle plant in Camaçari, Bahia, Brazil protested over unsanitary and unsafe working conditions one year after a forced labour scandal. The investigation by Times Brasil reports that there are only six portable toilets serving around 2,000 workers, poorly maintained and causing infections, with insufficient locker rooms, overcrowded cafeterias, unclean water and dust-filled work areas【362719724072172†L130-L173】. Protesters from various subcontractors demanded hazard pay, more toilets and cleaning, an end to harassment, adequate wages, safer working conditions, and health benefits【362719724072172†L171-L179】【362719724072172†L201-L209】. They said wages were low and did not cover transportation costs and that there were too few refrigerators and microwaves for hundreds of lunch boxes【362719724072172†L219-L233】【362719724072172†L239-L249】. The article recalls that a December 2024 rescue found 163 Chinese workers trafficked and forced to work at the same site; BYD was fined and faces a civil lawsuit【362719724072172†L259-L324】. BYD denies the new allegations, claiming there are 230 toilets and calling the protest politically motivated【362719724072172†L396-L428】.
Evidence & Audit Trail
Workers at BYD’s Camaçari factory said there were only six portable toilets for 2,000 workers, dirty water, no lockers and overcrowded cafeterias, causing illness and unsanitary conditions. On 2 December 2025, subcontracted workers protested, demanding hazard pay, more toilets and cleaning, better wages, transportation and health benefits. The protest occurred one year after authorities rescued Chinese workers from forced labour at the same site and a civil lawsuit sought R$257 million.