Duped Thai masseuses in Nigeria to return at the month-end

Ambassador to the United States and ministry spokesman Tanee Sangrat said the Department of Employment had alerted the Department of Consular Affairs of the situation on November 2 after the Paveena Hongsakul Foundation received an appeal from relatives of eight of the 12 women who were in a “distressed” condition in Nigeria.

The foundation had set up a video interview with the victims and learned they had responded to job offers advertised on Facebook to work as masseuses in Nigeria for a monthly salary of 50,000 baht.

During the first few months, they were paid US$700 (25,870 baht) per month, after which the employers demanded $1,000 for visa extension fees and even deducted part of their wages for return tickets to Thailand, according to the foundation.

Tanee said the Royal Thai Embassy in Abuja, Nigeria, is taking care of the 12 victims and has found no signs of abuse or detention against their will. The embassy also said the employer has contacted it and provided all information regarding the victims’ jobs to show “good faith”. The company said it would not oppose any move if the women wanted to return to Thailand.

The embassy is processing the women’s documentation to send them back to Thailand safely, Tanee added.

Five of the victims have their passports and plane tickets ready, while four have only tickets but no passports, so the embassy will issue new ones. One woman has her passport but no plane ticket.

Another, who has her passport, had reportedly applied for another job. However, one woman wished to continue working with the same employer in Nigeria.

Tanee said those who have their documents and plane tickets ready will depart for Thailand on November 26 and December 1.

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