VietNamNet Bridge - The 42 Vietnamese women “stranded” in a four bed-room house in George Town, Penang State, Malaysia, will be sent to a women's protection center in Kuala Lumpur.
The 42 women, aged between 31 and 50, lived in this house for several months. Neighbors reported to police about crys from the house, especially at night. Until then, the local administration investigated and knew the difficult situation of these women.

An initial investigation showed that the women had not been paid for two months. Police had gone to the house and taken a statement from Tran Thi Hai, 31, who used to work as a cleaner in a hospital.
 
 “We were told they have been on their own for about one month. They have to buy food and daily necessities using their own money. We have informed the Immigration Department, the Vietnamese Embassy and Interpol. We will complete investigations soon,” said Gan Kong Meng, a local police officer.

Several caring Malaysians sent food items such as cooking oil, vegetables, beverages and rice to Vietnamese women while some have shown interest in hiring the women as domestic maids.

Pulau Tikus assemblyman Koay Teng Hai said he had contacted the embassy, which was aware of the problem faced by the women.

It was reported that the women survived on white rice for the past few months, while their agent would send 20kg of rice every three months.

Meanwhile, 34 Nepalese and Vietnamese men, aged between 20 and 40, who are in the same situation as 42 Vietnamese women, would also be sent to a protection center in Kuala Lumpur.

State Immigration assistant director Mustaffa Kamal Hanaffi said investigations would be carried out to trace the agent responsible for the 76 Vietnamese and Nepalese men and women.

The Star/VietNamNet