The National Police have evacuated 45 Myanmar nationals who were allegedly victims in a slavery and human trafficking case in the waters of Ambon, Maluku.
The police have connected the findings to a previous slavery and human trafficking case in Benjina, Maluku.
“The case is similar to the Benjina [case]. They were reported missing by the Myanmar embassy,” the head of the National Police’s human trafficking unit, Adj. Sr. Comr. Arie Dharmanto, said, as quoted by tempo.co on Wednesday.
One of the evacuees, Sal Weu, confessed he was persuaded by local company PT Mitra Mina to work as a crew member in Indonesia with a monthly salary of Rp 2.88 million (US$213). The 23-year-old said he was given a fake passport, which changed his nationality to Thai.
Sal Weu said he had been working for the company for four years but had never received a salary.
“I have never been paid but If I want anything, they will provide me with it,” he said.
The police are still investigating the involvement of the company and other third parties. So far, the police have not named any suspects in the case.
The police, Arie said, were also investigating the relation between this case and the Benjina case. (ika)(++++)