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

The 163 Chinese workers found in a construction site of a factory owned by Chinese electric vehicle producer BYD in Brazil's Bahia state were victims of international human trafficking, said local labor authorities.

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.