Alleged forced labour at the BYD construction site in Szeged (Hungary)

Question for written answer E-001437/2026
to the Commission
Rule 144
Raphaël Glucksmann (S&D), Kathleen Van Brempt (S&D), Klára Dobrev (S&D)

According to an investigation published on 31 March 2026 by The World (PRX), the NGO China Labor Watch interviewed 50 Chinese migrant workers at the BYD factory construction site in Szeged, Hungary. Workers reportedly faced seven-day working weeks, 14-hour days, non-payment of overtime, the withholding of 20-30 % of their wages, and recruitment fees constituting debt bondage. A local labour authority investigation is reportedly under way. These allegations follow findings by Brazil's Ministry of Labour and Employment of similar violations at a BYD construction site in Camaçari, where investigators accused the company and its contractors of trafficking migrant workers into conditions analogous to slavery.

• 1.Is the Commission aware of these allegations, and what action has it taken to date?
• 2.Does it have information on other cases within the EU where non-EU companies have imported workers from their country of origin and exercise coercive control over them? Has the European Labour Authority been involved or offered support in this case or in similar cases?
• 3.What measures does the Commission intend to take to investigate the alleged violations in Szeged and prevent such practices across the EU?

Submitted: 8.4.2026