A spokesperson for Chinese automaker BYD has objected to reports about poor conditions at a construction site in Brazil where it is building a factory, saying the allegations were aimed at “smearing” China and Chinese brands.

Electric vehicle producer BYD brought hundreds of Chinese workers on irregular visas to build a factory in Brazil, a key labor inspector told Reuters on Tuesday, adding the company has pledged to comply with local labor laws for the workers remaining in the country.

Authorities rescued 163 workers living in inhumane conditions, prompting BYD to sever ties with its construction partner.

Brazilian authorities held a hearing on Friday to discuss the charges of human trafficking against Chinese automaker Build Your Dreams Auto Do Brasil (BYD Brazil) related to the treatment of 163

Chinese workers at a construction site in Brazil for a factory owned by China's electric vehicle producer BYD are victims of human trafficking, Brazilian labor authorities said on Thursday in a growing controversy in BYD's biggest overseas market.

Authorities in Brazil said Friday they were probing Chinese auto giant BYD and one of its contractors for suspected "trafficking" of Chinese workers who were building a factory in the South American country.

Dozens of Chinese workers have been taken and put up in hotels in Brazil’s tropical northeastern region after local labor authorities found them at a construction site for electric vehicle automaker BYD.

Authorities in Brazil said Friday they are probing Chinese auto giant BYD and one of its contractors for suspected "trafficking" of Chinese workers building a factory in the South American country.

STORY: Electric vehicle producer BYD brought hundreds of Chinese workers on irregular visas to build a factory in Brazil, according to a key labor inspector.They told Reuters that the company has pledged to comply with local labor laws for the workers remaining in the country.

Electric vehicle producer BYD brought hundreds of Chinese workers on irregular visas to build a factory in Brazil, a key labour inspector told Reuters on Tuesday, adding the company has pledged to comply with local labour laws for the workers remaining in the country.

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According to Liane Durao, a labor inspector for Brazil’s Ministry of Labor, the 163 workers hired by Jinjiang for the local BYD factory and rescued from living in indecent conditions, are leaving or have already left Brazil.