Trafficked to Mauritius, raped: Migrant worker files case against Indian national, 7 Bangladeshis

A female migrant worker today filed a case with police in Dhaka against eight people -- for trafficking her to Mauritius where she says she was raped by her employer and a co-worker last year.

The case was filed with Rampura Police Station under the Prevention and Suppression of Human Trafficking Act, 2012, and the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act.

The accused in the case are: Akbar Hossain, proprietor of a recruiting agency; Akbar's son Golam Rabbi; Akbar's brother Aktar Hossain; Shah Alam; Forkan; Siddique; Aslam; and an Indian national Anil Kohli.

Confirming the case, Deputy Commissioner (Motijheel division) Abdul Ahad, of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, said police will take necessary steps regarding the matter.

According to the complainant, she went to Mauritius through a recruiting agency on February 5 last year.

She said that she paid Tk 1.2 lakh in two instalments to Akbar and his son at their office in Rampura.

She also said she was promised Tk 28,000 per month as wage. In Mauritius, she was hired by Firemount Textile company as a helper.

In Mauritius, Alam, who ran a canteen for workers at Firemount Textile, along with his cohorts Forkan, Siddique, and Aslam proposed to her that she would be "benefited" if she establishes a "relationship" with the company owner Anil, she said.

On April 30, 2020, Alam took her to Anil's house, saying that the owner brought some allegation against her and that she needed to see him. On that day, Anil raped her at his house, she alleged.

The migrant worker further accused both Alam and Anil of raping her on several occasions. She was told that the earlier rape was recorded and will be leaked on social media if she disagreed.

She also alleged that, at one point, she became pregnant. Later, Shah Alam took her to a hospital in Mauritius for abortion.

She also alleged that she was not paid her due wages in Mauritius.

When she pleaded to let her return home, Alam informed her that she could return if her father comes to Mauritius.

Her father arrived in Mauritius in November last year, but she was not informed of his arrival initially.

Finally, she managed to leave Mauritius on December 28 last year. After she left, the accused in Mauritius took her father in their "custody", she further alleged.

Upon returning home, she shared her ordeal with her elder sister and also later communicated with Brac Migration Programme where she received counseling.

She alleged that the accused have been creating mental pressure on her father and tortured him in Mauritius.

In a press statement, Shariful Hasan, head of Brac Migration Programme, today said the description given by the victim is "horrible".

He said both governments of Bangladesh and Mauritius should investigate the allegations raised by her.

Besides, authorities concerned should further investigate if other Bangladeshi female migrant workers have faced similar situations in Mauritius, he said, hoping the concerned ministry and Bangladesh mission in Mauritius will take prompt steps in this regard.