In a pattern of labor violations spanning multiple continents, Chinese-owned factories are facing increasing scrutiny and shutdowns as authorities uncover widespread human rights abuses. The recent discovery of 163 Chinese nationals working in “slavery-like conditions” at a BYD construction site in Brazil’s Bahia state marks the latest in a series of shocking revelations that expose the dark underbelly of China’s rapid global industrial expansion. The Brazilian case, involving electric vehicle giant BYD, has laid bare deeply troubling practices that seem to echo labor abuses found in China’s own industrial regions. Workers were subjected to grueling conditions that violated Brazilian labor laws: excessive working hours, degrading living conditions, and the confiscation of passports – a classic tactic of modern slavery. The contracted company, Jinjiang Construction Brazil, allegedly withheld an astounding 60% of workers’ wages and implemented punitive measures, forcing those who attempted to leave to pay for their own return airfare. The living conditions were particularly shocking, with workers forced to wake at 4 a.m. to queue for inadequate facilities – one toilet serving 31 people – before beginning their shifts at 5:30 a.m. in what labor inspectors described as dangerous working conditions.
This troubling incident comes on the heels of equally disturbing developments in Angola, where authorities recently shut down two Chinese factories for egregious violations. A metals processing facility was closed for operating without proper licensing and causing environmental devastation through water pollution, while a plastics factory was shuttered after 131 workers were found essentially imprisoned in unsanitary conditions, subjected to restricted movement, and provided with inadequate nutrition. These workers were reportedly fed the same meal day after day and prevented from leaving the premises, creating what amounts to a modern form of industrial imprisonment.
These international incidents highlight a broader pattern of labor exploitation that appears to be intrinsically linked to China’s model of industrial expansion. As Chinese companies like BYD pursue aggressive international growth, they seem to be exporting not just products and technology, but also problematic labor practices that have raised serious human rights concerns. This pattern becomes particularly alarming when viewed against the backdrop of China’s domestic industrial practices, especially in regions like Xinjiang.
The situation in Xinjiang serves as a stark warning of what might become a global pattern if left unchecked. There, the aluminum industry, crucial for global automotive production, has been deeply tainted by allegations of forced labor. Approximately 9% of global aluminum supply comes from this region, where the Chinese government has been accused of perpetrating crimes against humanity against Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslim communities. The scale of these operations is staggering – Xinjiang’s aluminum production has grown from approximately one million tons in 2010 to six million in 2022, making it a larger producer than any country outside of China itself.
Major Chinese aluminum producers in Xinjiang, such as Xinjiang East Hope Nonferrous Metals, Tianshan Aluminum, and Xinfa Group Xinjiang, have been implicated in government-backed labor transfer programs that effectively coerce Uyghurs into work. These companies’ practices at home raise serious questions about their commitment to labor rights in their international operations and suggest a systematic approach to labor exploitation that transcends national boundaries.
The global response to these violations has been gathering momentum, though many argue it remains insufficient. The United States has implemented the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, creating a presumption that goods made in whole or in part in Xinjiang are not eligible for import. The European Union is preparing similar legislation to prohibit imports linked to forced labor. However, the Chinese government’s hostile stance toward human rights investigations and its recently expanded counter-espionage law have created significant obstacles for companies attempting to conduct due diligence in their supply chains.
The automotive industry faces particular challenges as China becomes an increasingly dominant player in the sector. Global carmakers operating in China through joint ventures often claim limited control over their partners’ operations, creating what critics see as a convenient excuse for turning a blind eye to labor abuses. Volkswagen, for instance, despite its stated commitment to human rights, admits to having “no transparency” about supplier relationships in its Chinese joint ventures. Even Tesla, which has provided more detailed information about its aluminum sourcing, cannot fully guarantee its supply chain is free from forced labor connections.
The opacity in supply chains allows potentially tainted materials to enter global markets undetected, particularly through the aluminum industry’s complex trading networks. Once aluminum ingots are melted and mixed with other materials, it becomes impossible to determine their origin, enabling tainted aluminum to infiltrate global supply chains without detection. This lack of traceability creates a perfect storm where human rights abuses can flourish beneath a veneer of legitimate business operations.
The recent factory shutdowns in Brazil and Angola should serve as a wake-up call for both governments and corporations. They demonstrate that the problematic labor practices associated with Chinese industrial operations aren’t confined to Xinjiang but represent a systemic issue in Chinese industrial expansion globally. These incidents suggest a troubling pattern where profit is prioritized over human dignity, and where the rush to expand industrial capacity comes at the cost of basic human rights.
As China continues its pursuit of President Xi Jinping’s vision of becoming “an automobile power,” the world must demand greater accountability and transparency. Companies building cars in China or sourcing parts from Chinese suppliers must be held to the same human rights and labor standards they apply elsewhere. The current situation, where business interests repeatedly trump human rights concerns, is not only unsustainable but morally indefensible.
The pattern of abuse uncovered in Brazil, Angola, and elsewhere suggests that without robust international oversight and enforcement, Chinese industrial expansion risks creating a race to the bottom in labor standards globally. The international community must act decisively to ensure that economic development does not come at the cost of human dignity and basic rights.
