Three Indonesian women were rescued in Johor Bahru after being forced to work long hours with unpaid wages and restricted movement, with three employers detained.
JOHOR BAHRU: The Johor Immigration Department rescued three Indonesian women believed to be victims of human trafficking in a special operation yesterday.
The operation, involving 24 officers, was conducted at a business premises in Mount Austin between 3.30 pm and 6.30 pm.
State director Datuk Mohd Rusdi Mohd Darus said initial investigations found the victims were forced to work at their employers’ factory in the mornings and then at a residence after hours.
“The victims, aged between 24 and 33 years old, including one undocumented migrant worker, were said to have worked as domestic helpers for one to two years,” he said in a statement today.
He stated the victims were promised a monthly salary of RM1,800 but had not received the full amount since starting work.
Their passports were withheld by their employers, their movements were restricted, and communication with their families was limited.
Three employers, a local man and two women aged between 31 and 62, have been detained to assist in the investigation.
They are being probed under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007.
Mohd Rusdi said the operation used the National Guideline on Human Trafficking Indicators 2.0 to identify victims among vulnerable groups.
“Firm action will be taken against any employer who takes advantage of foreign workers through coercion, threats or exploitation,” he added.
