Police are investigating allegations of forced labour exploitation

BAU, Oct. 8: Bau District Police are investigating a case of suspected forced labor exploitation involving a Filipino man in the Bau area.

Chief of the Odor District Police, Superintendent Mohd Haide A. Rahman said that based on the initial investigation, the alleged victim was taken to Bau to work at a call center believed to be engaged in online fraud.

According to him, the victim claimed to have worked for about two months with a working period from 6 pm to 6 am, but did not receive any pay during that period.

"The victim only received advance money of RM300 sent to his family in the Philippines", he said in a statement today.

He said the victims also claimed that they were not allowed to leave their homes while at the site, as well as imposing some restrictions on movement and use of phones.

"However, the investigation also found that the victim was detained by police on August 30 along with 13 other colleagues and tortured for five days before being released on September 5.

"After being released, the victim was placed in a house in Hui Sing area of Kuching and during that period reportedly had cell phones, could leave the house and had access to house keys and fences", he said.

He said the police had taken the victim's records to obtain further information regarding employment conditions and allegations of exploitation.

"The victim is currently being placed in a safe haven provided by the Philippine Embassy in Kuching for protection and welfare purposes.

"Follow-up measures have also been taken including obtaining relevant protection orders, health checks of victims and contacting the Philippine Embassy, Interpol and other agencies related to human trafficking victim protection", he explained.

The case is being investigated under Section 12 of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Migrant Smuggling Act 2007 (ATIPSOM).