42 forced labour victims rescued in Kerian

The police have rescued 42 Myanmar nationals believed to be victims of forced labour exploitation in a raid on an automobile spare parts factory at the Industrial Area, in Jalan Perusahaan, here, Wednesday.

Perak police contingent''s Anti-Vice, Gambling and Secret Societies Division (D7) staff officer DSP V. Annadurai said the victims, comprising 14 women and 28 men aged between 16 and 35 years old did not have any valid travel documents or work permits.

He said apart from being underpaid, the rescued workers were believed to have been locked in a small, cramped shop house when they were not at work.

"The victims were never allowed out of the house and their movements to and from their work place were closely monitored by an agent.

"Investigations revealed that the victims were only paid RM30 to RM48 a day instead of RM80 as stipulated in the agreement between the factory and the agent," he told reporters after the raid.

Elaborating, Annadurai said police believed the victims were brought into the country illegally by two local agents and were forced to work at the factory for the last three months.

-- BERNAMA