Pahang Immigration Rescues 17 Indonesian Women

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They were being exploited by a domestic helper and cleaning services syndicate, says the department.
It is alleged that the victims never received their wages directly and had been denied leave. (JIM Pahang pic)PETALING JAYA: Seventeen Indonesian women, believed to be victims of exploitation by a domestic helper and cleaning services syndicate, were rescued in a special operation in Temerloh, Pahang, on Sunday
Pahang immigration department director Nursafariza Ihsan said the women, aged between 23 and 50, who all had expired social visit passes, were rescued at about 10pm when officers raided the premises.
A man and a woman, both in their 60s, believed to be the agency owner and the victims’ caretaker, were arrested during the operation.
“The syndicate used the foreign women as maids and cleaners at pre-arranged houses on a daily basis, charging between RM120 and RM150 a day.
“House owners interested in the service would contact the agency, which would set the date and working hours, as well as arrange transport for the workers,” Bernama quoted Nursafariza as saying.
She said the syndicate was believed to have been operating for more than two years, raking in more than RM500,000 annually.
She also said the victims allegedly never received their wages directly, and their movements were restricted.
They were also denied leave and prohibited from using their  phones to contact family members in Indonesia.
Their daily wages were allegedly handed over entirely to the agency without being given to the victims.
Pahang immigration personnel also seized a multi-purpose vehicle believed to have been used to transport the workers, RM10,570 in cash, 87 Indonesian passports and 52 mobile phones belonging to the workers.
“For now, the victims have been placed at a social welfare department shelter pending further action, while the agency’s owner and caretaker have been remanded for seven days,” Nursafariza said. - FMT

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