Africa-Press – Mozambique. The Portuguese Judiciary Police (PJ) announced this Monday the arrest of a couple suspected of enslaving a woman of foreign nationality in Espinho, in Aveiro district, Portugal.
The 29-year-old woman was forced to work 16 hours a day, with no time off, and earning only €50 (3,310.94 meticais) per month.
In a statement, the PJ clarifies that the couple, suspected of the crime of “labour and domestic servitude”, had withdrawn the employee’s documents, and allowed her only one meal a day.
The detainees, aged 40 and 42, also of foreign nationality and residing in Portugal, are “strongly indicted” for the crime of trafficking in persons, the PJ statement announces.
Both will now be presented to the judicial authority for initial judicial interrogation and application of coercive measures.
“In November 2021, the defendants, under the false promise of her being able to come and study and work, enticed the victim, in Mozambique, transporting her to Portugal and then subjecting her to labour/domestic servitude,” the PJ explained.
In Portugal, the 29-year-old woman was deprived of her documents, being forced to work 16 hours a day, without the right to days off or rest hours, and earning 50 euros a month, it said.
According to this police force, the couple only allowed the victim to have one meal a day, also limiting hygiene care.
“At the time of her coming to notice, she was diagnosed with severe anaemia caused by lack of food, her general weakness and physical failure being obvious,” the PJ stressed.
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