Early this month, the people who are from Kho Mu ethnic minority group in Ky Son District’s Keng Du Commune went to work at a gold mine in Nam Giang District.

  Keng Du Commune

They were promised a high salary and paid VND6.5 million (USD282.60) in advance for food and transport to the gold mine.

However, once there, they knew that it is an illegal gold mine. The working environment was life-threatening. They then tried to flee, but then were illegally imprisoned by their owner.

They were forced to work to repay the money they were advanced or their relatives would have to send money to release them. Five of the men opposed the management and were assaulted.

They were rescued by police in Nam Giang District.

Five of the people returned home while six others have gone to Nghe An Province to find new jobs.

Keng Du is among the poorest communes in Nghe An and people being cheated into working at illegal gold mines is common. Dtinews

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