“BYD and construction companies reach R$40 million settlement with MPT in slave labour case in Bahia”, 26 December 2025.

The “Ministério Público do Trabalho da Bahia” (MPT-BA, Bahia Labour Public Prosecutor’s Office) reached a R$40 million settlement with Chinese automaker Build Your Dreams (BYD) and two construction companies, following a public civil action against the firms for slave labour and human trafficking.

The civil action against the companies was filed in May this year. Initially, MPT-BA was seeking R$257 million in damages.

According to the regulatory body, the settlement with the construction companies allocates R$20 million for individual moral damages, which will be paid directly to the workers.

The other half is for collective moral damages, which will be deposited in a court account for subsequent allocation to institutions and/or funds appointed by MPT-BA. Under the agreement, Jinjiang and Tecmonta also assume obligations regarding what to do and what not to do in relation to workplace safety. The provisions apply to all establishments and locations where they conduct business activities...