Work Reform

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A place to discuss positive changes that can make work more equitable, and to vent about current practices. We are NOT against work; we just want the fruits of our labor to be recognized better.

Our Philosophies:

All workers must be paid a living wage for their labor.
Income inequality is the main cause of lower living standards.
Workers must join together and fight back for what is rightfully theirs.
We must not be divided and conquered. Workers gain the most when they focus on unifying issues.

Our Goals

Higher wages for underpaid workers.
Better worker representation, including but not limited to unions.
Better and fewer working hours.
Stimulating a massive wave of worker organizing in the United States and beyond.
Organizing and supporting political causes and campaigns that put workers first.

founded 2 years ago

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177

Brazil sues China carmaker BYD over 'slave-like' conditions (www.bbc.com)

submitted 10 months ago by throws_lemy@lemmy.nz to c/workreform@lemmy.world

7 comments fedilink hide all child comments

Brazilian prosecutors are suing Chinese electric vehicle (EV) giant BYD and two of its contractors, saying they were responsible for human trafficking and conditions "analogous to slavery" at a factory construction site in the country.

BYD did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the BBC but has previously said it has "zero tolerance for violations of human rights and labour laws."

Authorities halted construction of the plant late last year after workers were found living in cramped accommodation with "minimum comfort and hygiene conditions", the MPT said.

Some workers slept on beds without mattresses and one toilet was shared by 31 people, it said in a statement.

The MPT also alleged that construction site staff had their passports confiscated and were working under "employment contracts with illegal clauses, exhausting work hours and no weekly rest."

Prosecutors said the workers had up to 70% of their salaries withheld and faced high costs to terminate their contracts.

"Slavery-like conditions", as defined by Brazilian law, include debt bondage and work that violates human dignity.

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[–] surph_ninja@lemmy.world 15 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Seizing a worker’s passport should be an automatic life sentence. And it’s not just a problem with these big companies. Tons of wealthy individuals in the US do this with their immigrant workers.

[–] mmddmm@lemm.ee 9 points 10 months ago

Brazil doesn't have life sentences, but seizing workers passports is a sure way to get a condemnation for "slavery-like" work conditions and a matching prison sentence.

[–] SnarkoPolo@lemm.ee 8 points 10 months ago

Are you in the states? Watch the documentary "Walmart: The High Cost Of Low Prices." Soon, that will be all of us.

[–] Jimmycakes@lemmy.world 2 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago)

It's calculated. In capitalist China this is baked into the business model. The used the slaves to drive down the cost of the manufacturing to basically materials only. They use this to gain significant market share. They get caught and say they won't do it anymore so the west will keep buying. By that time they can afford to scale back slavery a bit, raise the prices while enjoying their market dominance in that sector.

If we aren't going to stop this from the beginning like the very beginning they won't stop doing it either.

[–] polyamorypagan69@lemm.ee 1 points 10 months ago