The BYD plant in Szeged is one of Europe’s largest Chinese automotive investments, but the build has in recent months been shadowed not only by its rapid pace, but by fatal and serious accidents, police investigations, and apparent disregard for workplace safety and environmental rules. While construction presses ahead at full tilt, more and more questions are being raised about whether the project is being carried out under proper safety conditions, and how Chinese guest workers and Hungarian subcontractors are being treated on site.
Police investigation into 29 cases around the BYD plant
According to Magyar Hang, the Criminal Department of the Csongrád-Csanád County Police Headquarters is investigating a total of 29 cases connected to the BYD plant in Szeged. The proceedings were launched on suspicion of a range of offences, and in several instances relate to working conditions and events during the construction work.
Two fatal accidents in a few months
The greatest concern has centred on the fatal workplace accidents. Two workers died at the construction site within a matter of months. The first fatal incident occurred during loading and crane operations. Later, another Chinese worker was killed after being hit by a lorry on the construction site.
Professional bodies have also spoken out about the two tragedies. In their view, while construction is inherently a hazardous industry, two fatal workplace accidents in such a short period are highly unusual even on a project of this scale.
Safety concerns
Beyond the fatalities, there have been further accidents on the site. In one incident, several people were injured in a vehicle crash; on another occasion, a worker suffered serious injuries.
In light of the safety risks, professional organisations are calling for stricter occupational safety inspections. They say it is particularly important to establish whether all health and safety regulations are being observed during construction, and whether supervision of the work areas is adequate.
Concerns deepen
The Orbán government had previously promised BYD management that it would bring in 10,000 guest workers for the project. According to Magyar Hang, however, BYD’s leadership is treating Chinese guest workers very badly. The New York-based China Labor Watch says it found conditions in Szeged that suggest forced labour.
Some guest workers were said to have worked all seven days of the week without a day off, on shifts lasting 9-12 hours a day. In the process, they reportedly exceeded the annual overtime limit, but nobody seemed to care. Part of their wages was also withheld. Many did not even have permission to work in Hungary. It is hardly surprising, then, that inspectors were seen on the site again last week.
The authorities have also launched an investigation into breaches of environmental regulations. They found, for example, that humus-rich topsoil may have been removed from the site without the mandatory measurements and notification, and then spread over 20 hectares. On 10 per cent of that area, soil contaminated with alkylbenzenes was then laid, meaning the affected farmer must destroy the wheat grown there. Even so, BYD was fined only 10 million forints.
Magyar Hang has also previously reported that Hungarian subcontractors were not paid by BYD and left the site as a result.
Orbán government promised Chinese BYD vast subsidies and influx of thousands of guest workers
Szijjártó is now working for BYD
Last week, Péter Szijjártó, the former minister of foreign affairs and trade, announced that he would continue his career as BYD’s new global head of external relations. Szijjártó played a major role in helping the investment choose Hungary in the first place, and it also received significant government support. Since BYD moved its European corporate and development headquarters to Budapest a few months ago, Szijjártó will not have far to travel for work.
Magyar Hang notes, however, that in Western Europe this kind of post-government move is strictly restricted. “If a former state leader leaves politics and immediately goes to work for a company that places a premium on state connections — indeed, the Szeged BYD plant received billions in state support precisely during Szijjártó’s ministership — that represents a serious corruption risk and, at the same time, a conflict-of-interest problem”, it added.
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