Two Bangladeshi women who were allegedly working for a month without getting paid were rescued by the immigration department yesterday; they are thought to be victims of sex trafficking.Only food and beverages were given to the thirty-and thirty-four-year-old women, according to Bernama. According to the department, the victims were compelled to serve foreign clients brought in by a syndicate from early in the morning until late at night. During the raid, the caretaker was one of four Bangladeshi males apprehended.Two of them are believed to be members of a human trafficking syndicate while a third man was a customer.

The syndicate’s modus operandi involved bringing in foreign women, particularly from Bangladesh, under the pretence of offering jobs with a salary of around RM2,000.The victims received no salary and were only provided with food and drinks.

"The two women have been exploited since last month," it added.

The victims were identified using the National Guideline on Human Trafficking Indicators (NGHTI) 2.0.

"We will continue with such operations and take stern action against those involved in migrant smuggling or exploitation.

"We also urge those with information to contact the department so that human trafficking and smuggling of migrants can be curbed," it said.

To ensure that job seekers, regardless of their level of desperation, are aware of the traps set by dishonest brokers and travel agents and do not risk their lives in the hopes of finding employment overseas, the government of Bangladesh must also launch aggressive awareness programs. Lastly, in order to eradicate the financial worry that pushes young people to take huge risks, the government must fulfill its commitment to give them work.