By Fabio Teixeira RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) -Chinese workers found at a construction site for a factory owned by China's electric vehicle producer BYD in Brazil's Bahia state are victims of human trafficking,

Chinese workers at BYD's factory site in Brazil's Bahia were identified as human trafficking victims. The company and contractor Jinjiang Group are negotiating contract terminations for 163 workers. Allegations of slavery-like conditions create a potential diplomatic issue amid China's deepening investment in Brazil.

A task force led by Brazilian prosecutors says it has rescued 163 Chinese nationals working in “slavery-like” conditions at a construction site in northeastern Brazil, where Chinese electric vehicle company BYD is building a factory.

Brazilian officials found 163 Chinese nationals working in "slavery-like conditions" at a construction site for a factory owned by Chinese electric vehicle producer BYD in Brazil's Bahia state, the local labor prosecutor's office said on Monday.

Construction at BYD’s new EV plant in Brazil was suddenly halted Monday after authorities found Chinese workers in “slavery-like”

Scores of Chinese construction workers were rescued from slavery-like conditions at a BYD factory site in Brazil, according to authorities. BYD plans to terminate its contract with Jinjiang Construction.