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Jinjiang Group Faces Allegations of Human Trafficking and Slave-Like Conditions in Brazil
Overview of the Allegations
Jinjiang Group, a Chinese construction company, is under investigation by Brazilian labor authorities after workers at a factory it is building for electric vehicle manufacturer BYD were allegedly victims of human trafficking and subjected to “slavery-like conditions.” The company has rejected these claims, attributing them to translation misunderstandings, and maintains that the workers are not in distress.
Company Background
Jinjiang Group was founded in 2002 and is headquartered in Shenzhen, China. The company provides property construction services and has a significant presence in the construction of industrial sites for major companies, including BYD. With an annual revenue of 3 billion yuan ($400 million) and a workforce of approximately 1,500, Jinjiang has been involved in numerous large-scale construction projects across China.
Major Clients and Projects
In addition to BYD, Jinjiang’s client base includes prominent Chinese property developers such as Vanke, Longfor, and Country Garden. The company has been instrumental in the construction of BYD facilities in cities across China, including Changzhou, Yangzhou, and Hefei, and is also involved in international projects in countries like Hungary, Turkey, and Mexico.
Jinjiang’s Involvement with BYD
Jinjiang Group has played a key role in constructing BYD factories in China and is involved in the development of BYD’s Skyrail monorail system. The company is also reportedly working on a factory in Brazil for BYD. While the company has been linked to BYD’s international expansion, it remains unclear if Jinjiang is working on BYD projects in other countries such as Hungary, Mexico, Thailand, or Uzbekistan.
Safety Record and Legal Issues
Jinjiang has faced criticism for its work safety record. Between 2018 and 2022, the company was ordered by Chinese courts to compensate workers in five disputes related to workplace accidents and injuries. Additionally, in 2023 and 2024, Jinjiang was fined for violating safety regulations. One notable incident occurred in May 2022, when a worker died in a fall at a BYD construction site in Hefei, leading to fines for Jinjiang and its subcontractors.
Jinjiang’s Response to the Brazil Allegations
Denial of Claims
In response to the allegations from Brazil, Jinjiang issued a statement on its Weibo account, denying the claims that workers were subjected to slavery-like conditions. The company posted a video featuring Chinese workers, who denied the claims and expressed their desire to continue working in Brazil. According to Jinjiang, these workers had signed a letter together, rejecting the idea that they had been “rescued” or mistreated.
BYD’s Response
Initially, BYD stated it had severed ties with Jinjiang following the allegations. However, this position was later revised after a company executive reposted Jinjiang’s statement online, accusing foreign forces and certain media outlets of deliberately undermining Chinese brands and relations between China and Brazil.
Efforts to Resolve the Situation
Brazilian labor authorities have reported that BYD and Jinjiang have agreed to assist the 163 affected workers, providing them with accommodation in hotels while their contracts are being resolved. Both companies are cooperating to address the situation and find a resolution for the workers involved.