After waiting for a few days, it seems that the BYD incident hasn’t been reversed. Why didn’t they say it earlier? Because with matters concerning national enterprises, you can’t just say whatever you want.
I won’t go into the process, but I’ll just talk about three interesting points.
1. Two-faced
After the investigation results from the Brazilian Ministry of Labor came out, the general manager of BYD’s public relations department posted on Weibo, saying that this was a foreign force smearing China and undermining Sino-Brazilian friendship.
Wow, what a big hat to put on.
The Brazilian Ministry of Labor, the Ministry of Labor and Employment, the Office of the Labor Union Advocate, the Federal Highway Police, the Federal Public Ministry, and the Federal Police, all became foreign forces.
When something happens, blame foreign forces, it’s a traditional skill.
What’s funny is that a few days ago, BYD’s Brazilian branch quietly issued a completely different statement.
Because it was written in Portuguese, the original text couldn’t be found in Chinese or English, so many people didn’t even know about it.
The statement said:
“BYD Auto Brazil, upon receiving notification from the Ministry of Labor and Employment, found that the outsourced construction company, Goldmaker Group, committed serious violations.
BYD Auto Brazil reiterates that it does not tolerate disrespect for Brazilian law and human dignity.
In view of this, it has been decided to immediately terminate the contract with the contractor and is studying other appropriate measures.
BYD Brazil emphasizes that outsourced employees will not be harmed by this decision, which will ensure that all their rights are protected.
Today, the company has decided to transfer the 163 workers of this construction company to a hotel.
In the past few weeks, BYD Auto Brazil has conducted a detailed review of the working and housing conditions of all employees of the outsourced construction company responsible for the project, and has repeatedly notified them to make the necessary rectifications.“
This statement is much more honest, admitting mistakes and actively cooperating. Oh, so they know how to do things properly?
This is not a public relations mistake, but a difference in tone. In fact, it’s also a traditional skill: one set of rules internally, another set externally.
They just take advantage of your network being closed off and play the information gap.
2. Throwing a tantrum
Regarding the investigation results from the Brazilian side, the contractor, Goldmaker Group, naturally had to be tough at first, a traditional skill.
They said that due to cultural differences, suggestive inquiries, and deviations in translation and understanding, the information released by the labor department did not match the facts at all.
But they didn’t mention how they were induced, where the deviations were, or where they didn’t match.
They even organized employees to hold a collective statement of “I love my company”, signing and pressing their fingerprints.
This very Chinese-style self-certification has a feeling of returning to the Qing Dynasty, and it looks like they are throwing a tantrum after being at a loss for words.
However, abstract performances cannot replace concrete evidence.
Working conditions are worrying, living environment is poor, labor contracts are harsh, working more than 10 hours a day, no weekends, and no freedom to go out.
Isn’t this modern slavery?
However, this explanation is not without reason; cultural differences are at least correct.
As the netizen “SpongeBob” said:
“In the eyes of foreigners, collective eating and living, sleeping in a large dormitory, working more than 11 hours a day, being picked up and dropped off by buses, not being able to take leave and go out at will, and no weekends, this is Auschwitz].
But in the eyes of Chinese people, this is normal. The company did not persecute the workers because they do the same in domestic construction sites and factories.”
I remember a month ago, it was also a new car-making force that released a video.
Its chairman said proudly to the camera that in order to ensure quality and quantity, and to fulfill the cars “owed” to everyone, they have started two shifts, producing 20 hours a day, and only taking one day off on weekends.
Being able to openly and legitimately publicize the act of trampling on labor laws, and still be quite proud, is enough to show that in China, this is a unique regional culture.
It’s just that this culture is something that “lazy” foreigners can’t accept.
3. Reactions from all sides
After the BYD incident, some people were happy and some were sad.
There are many reasons for being happy. Some are disgusted with those companies that always tie themselves to the nation and speak of great righteousness, but privately engage in petty gains.
Some are deeply disgusted with sweatshops and dare not speak out due to systemic protection.
The Brazilian Ministry of Labor’s action is equivalent to helping them vent their anger.
As for those who are sad, they are naturally those who are full of positive energy.
This group of great Confucian scholars are tirelessly debating, and their reasons are roughly two points: the Brazilian Ministry of Labor wants to bring down BYD, and the Goldmaker Group’s wrongdoing has nothing to do with BYD.
The first point is very idiotic, and if you understand a little, you wouldn’t talk nonsense.
BYD has been selling cars in Brazil for more than a decade, and Brazil is BYD’s largest overseas market.
The construction of the factory was decided last April and was supported by the local state government.
Even the Brazilian president met with the CEO of BYD Americas last month.
It is estimated that by 2026, the BYD factory will create 20,000 direct jobs for the local area, not to mention taxes.
In this case, why would Brazil want to bring down BYD? Are they sick?
The second point is even more stupid.
Not to mention that the Goldmaker Group is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BYD. When something happened to the Goldmaker Group, the first to speak out was BYD, although they said both positive and negative things.
In addition, BYD previously submitted an anti-modern slavery report to Australia, which clearly stated:
“We recognize that our subcontractors may be associated with countries or industries where modern slavery is prevalent.
This result emphasizes that we may need to establish more cooperative relationships with key suppliers to ensure that they comply with human rights related to labor.“
In other words, if the subcontractor has human rights issues, BYD is responsible. Are they double-standard towards Brazil?
These so-called positive energy people, not only have a brain full of paste, but also talk about conspiracy theories and the big picture, without even a single sentence caring about the workers’ actual situation.
Of course, as a national enterprise, everything they do is for the good of the nation. To defend them, that is to speak out for justice.
Look at them, they are doing public relations, being tough, and shifting the blame. It’s not easy, everyone overcome it.
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