The 163 Chinese workers found by Brazil's labor ministry in what it described as "slavery-like conditions" at a factory construction site owned by Chinese electric vehicle producer BYD have been removed and taken to hotels,

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.

Brazilian labor authorities said they found 163 Chinese nationals working in slavery-like conditions at a construction site in Bahia state.

Shocking news emerged recently as labour officials in Brazil revealed that employees from China working at a construction site linked to BYD Electric Vehicle company are believed to be victims of human trafficking activities.

Allegations spark tensions as BYD cuts ties with contractor amid labor rights concerns, passport disputes, and China's push for stronger Brazil ties.

China's Jinjiang Group is in the spotlight after Brazil's labour authorities said workers at a factory it is building for electric vehicle maker BYD were victims of human trafficking working in "slavery-like conditions".