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15 trafficked Cambodian laborers rescued from Thai fishing boats

Xinhua, March 16, 2016 Adjust font size:

The Thai authorities have rescued 15 trafficked Cambodian men from two Thai fishing vessels in southern Ranong province, Chum Sounry, a spokesman for the Cambodian ministry of foreign affairs, said Wednesday.

The victims, aged between 19 and 62 years old, have been temporarily living in a rehabilitation center for trafficked victims in the province, pending testifying before the court on March 24 in a case against the fishing boat owners, he said.

"The court will consider allowing the laborers to leave Thailand when it gets enough answers," he said in a statement.

According to the spokesman, the fishing boat owners agreed to pay 25,000 Thai Baht (713 U.S. dollars) to each of the laborers.

Trafficked fishermen are frequently forced to work long hours and physically and psychologically abused. They are often unpaid and forced to serve on voyages for months or even years.

Last year, some 573 trafficked Cambodian migrant workers and citizens were rescued in seven countries and returned home, according to a report of the ministry of foreign affairs. Enditem