Jinjiang Group, a contractor for Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD, said on Thursday Brazilian authorities' portrayal of their employees as "enslaved" was inconsistent with the facts and that there were translation misunderstandings.

The BYD construction site workers have been found labouring for long hours, in excess of those allowed by Brazilian law, sometimes for seven days a week, while being kept in what authorities described as degrading conditions,

BYD's contractor, Jinjiang Group, refutes Brazilian authorities' claims of employees in slavery-like conditions, stating accusations harm Chinese dignity. A joint letter articulates the discontent. Previously,

BYD Co. has severed ties with a construction firm after Brazilian authorities halted construction of a new electric-vehicle plant where workers were found working and living in “slavery”-like conditions.

"Slavery-like conditions", as defined by Brazilian law, include debt bondage and work that violates human dignity. The MPT added that the situation also constitutes "forced labour", as many workers had their wages withheld and faced excessive costs for terminating their contracts. BYD said affected workers had been moved to hotels.

Scores of Chinese construction workers were rescued from slavery-like conditions at a BYD factory site in Brazil, according to authorities. BYD plans to terminate its contract with Jinjiang Construction.

Brazilian authorities found dozens Chinese workers in poor abusive conditions at construction site in northeastern Brazil, where Chinese electric car company BYD is building a factory - Anadolu Ajansı