Migrant sues agent, 7 others after being raped overseas

A female migrant worker yesterday filed a case with police in the capital against eight persons on charges of human trafficking.

She alleged that she was trafficked to Mauritius and raped by her foreign employer and a co-worker there 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 Indian national Anil Kohli.

Abdul Ahad, deputy commissioner (Motijheel division) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, said they would take necessary steps regarding the matter.

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

She said as a migration cost, she paid Tk 1.2 lakh in two phases to Akbar and his son at their office in Rampura.

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

In a press statement, Shariful Hasan, head of Brac Migration Programme, yesterday said both governments in Bangladesh and Mauritius should investigate the allegation raised by the victim.

Besides, authorities concerned should look into whether other Bangladeshi female migrant workers have faced a similar situation in Mauritius, hoping the concerned ministry and Bangladesh mission in Mauritius will take a prompt step in this regard.