Perak Immigration Department rescues six Indonesian forced labourers

IPOH, Nov 3 -- The Perak Immigration Department has rescued six Indonesian women who were victims of forced labour exploitations for about 10 years in three locations in Tanjung Malim, 110 km from here, yesterday.

Its director Hapdzan Husaini said all the women, aged 22 to 40 years, rescued in the joint operation by the Enforcement Division of the Perak Immigration Department, the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Council and the Department of Labour, worked as maids and salespersons.

He said during the first inspection at a residence, a woman working as a maid was found and his team detained another woman who was an employer of the maid before five others were rescued during inspections of two business premises.

"In an interview, the victims said they was not given a salary for about 10 years, did not know how much salary they should be receiving and were not given a phone to contact their families back home. And now they are housed in a shelter," he said in a statement here today.

Hapdzan said the employer of the maid and a company owner at the two premises inspected had their statements taken to assist in the investigation under Section 12 of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007.

"Anyone with information on illegal activities in the surrounding area are asked to channel it to the authorities to ensure appropriate action is taken," he said.

-- BERNAMA