Despite reports of human rights violations in the Chinese province of Xinjiang, Volkswagen intends to hold on to its factory there. There are no indications of violations at the plant, the car company said.
Car manufacturer Volkswagen intends to stick with the site even after a visit by its China board member Ralf Brandstätter to the controversial plant in the Xinjiang region. "We have no evidence of human rights violations at this plant - that has not changed after my visit," Brandstätter said at an online press conference.
During his visit on Feb. 16 and 17, he said he got the impression that the management was trying to create a good working atmosphere. He spoke at length with seven employees, including members of the Uyghur Muslim minority.
"We are aware of the critical reports"
"Of course we are aware of the critical reports, we take it very seriously," Brandstätter said of the indications of systematic oppression of Uyghurs in the western province. In recent years, there have been repeated reports of forced labor and re-education camps in Xinjiang. read more