VietNamNet Bridge – Quang Tri Province Border Guard on Tuesday successfully rescued 11 victims of forced labour in a gold mining area in the province.

All victims gather in the office of the Quang Tri Province Border Guard. — VNA/VNS Photo Thanh Thuy

On April 11, the Border Guard received a report from A Vao Commune in Dakrong District about six local people who were hired by Phuoc Minh Company to work at the Bai Muoi gold mine in Quang Nam Province’s Phuoc Son District. Acording to the report, the six were suspected to be slaves.

After verifying the report, a rescue team was mobilised to Quang Nam Province. On April 14, in collaboration with Quang Nam Province Border Guard and Police, the rescue team approached the victims’ shelter at Dac Min 3 Hydropower Plant in Phuoc Chanh Commune, Phuoc Son District, 60km away from the mining site.

The first five victims to be rescued are Ho Van Hung (born, 1985), Ho Van May (1994), Ho Van Nem (1995), Ho Van Huan (1998) and Ho Van Phich (1990).

In the following two days, from April 15 to 16, the forces rescued five other victims, identified as Ho Van Nan (1999), Ho Van Un (1997), Ho Van Hinh (1999), Ho Van Mong (1999) and Ho Van Man (1999). On April 15, Quang Tri Province Border Guard and Police worked with the leaders of Phuoc Minh Company on the company’s worker recruitment process and welfare policies for gold miners at the Bai Muoi Mining Site.

The company was asked to hand over documents related to the rescued workers as well as pay for them. At the meeting, the rescue forces demanded the company to hand over another worker named Ho Van Hut (1998) belonging to Quang Tri Province.

The victims said they had agreed to work as miners in Quang Nam Province with a wage of VND4-6 million (US$180 to 260) per month each due to abject poverty and struggles. Their working condition was terrible and meals were meagre, and they had no off days. Despite mining underground, they were not given any protective gear and equipment and were regularly beaten.

When their resignations were not approved, they escaped to a nearby forest on April 12. “Fortunately, one of us could get in touch with the border guard,” Hinh told the Vietnam News Agency.

Bui Dinh Loi, head of the department of criminal investigation under Quang Tri Province Border Guard, said the vast mountainous area in Quang Nam Province and the wariness of the victims challenged the force’s efforts to approach and rescue them.

The victims are being treated at a local medical facility.

Source: VNS