“Slave labour” women rescued in Segamat

In the 6.40am operations yesterday, the Johor Immigration enforcement team raided a terrace house in Taman Sumrin here and rescued nine female migrant workers aged in between 20 to 41.

The deputy director of Johor Immigration department, Masri Adol said that initial investigation revealed that they were all from Indonesia and were working here illegally without any traveling documents and valid work permits.

He said that one of the women told the raiding party that she has been forced to work with the employer for the last eight years.

They were forced to work long hours staring as early as 7.00am to work as janitor to clean three to four houses per day and as laundry woman with no proper rest and were only paid between RM350-RM400 per month.

The welfare of the workers was neglected by the employer.

The women claimed that the demand for the janitorial service was good and the employer is reaping high profits.

Masri also said that they believed all the women were here for over a year.

All the nine women were taken back to the Immigration office for further investigation while the 44 year old local employer was detained for questioning.

The case will be investigated under the Anti Human Trafficking Act 2007 (Act 620) for exploitation of human for trade and profits. If convicted, a fine of not less RM500,000 and not exceeding RM1,000,000 will be imposed.