Brazilian labor authorities have alleged that 163 Chinese workers at a construction site for a BYD factory in Bahia are victims of human trafficking. The claims have escalated tensions surrounding the Chinese electric vehicle giant’s operations in its largest overseas market.

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.

Chinese workers at a BYD construction site in Brazil face human trafficking allegations, stirring controversy in the company's largest overseas market. BYD and contractor Jinjiang are in talks with Brazilian authorities to resolve the issue.