Three Indian women in Bahrain who were allegedly forced into prostitution have filed a complaint with labour officials in that Gulf nation.
The three, aged 24, 25 and 35, worked in a restaurant. They alleged that were forced into prostitution by the restaurant manager and a woman supervisor, both Indians.
According to a report in the Gulf Daily News newspaper, the trio alleged that they were kept confined in their apartment in Manama between their work shifts. All their salary was deducted to meet accommodation charges, compelling them to survive on tips.
The report quoted the victims as saying that they were forced into doing sexual acts and drinking with male customers to increase the take from each table.
The customers were usually Indian but whenever any Bahraini came, the manager and the supervisor signalled them to hide, as they feared that it could be a plainclothes policeman, the women said.
One of the women eventually contacted the Indian embassy in Manama. All three were rescued Sunday, following which they filed a criminal complaint with the police.
It is not known whether their Bahraini sponsor, the owner of the restaurant, was aware of the activities in the restaurant, according to the report.
{{/usCountry}}It is not known whether their Bahraini sponsor, the owner of the restaurant, was aware of the activities in the restaurant, according to the report.
{{/usCountry}}Two of the women had been working in the restaurant for the last eight months while the third had been in Bahrain for two years.
Now, they are seeking unpaid wages, gratuity, bonus, air tickets and compensation for mental and physical abuse, the report quoted a consultant with the law firm that has taken up their case as saying.