Trafficked Indian national rescued from

Regent Street store

A sting operation led by the Guyana Women Miners’ Organization (GWMO), the Human Services Ministry and the Guyana Police Force resulted in the rescue of an Indian national from an abusive labour situation at a Regent Street store.
The 23-year-old man, allegedly a Trafficking In Persons (TIP) victim, arrived in Guyana last year December and has been working with Satnam Variety Store as a sales clerk. He received no salary, though he was promised US$300 monthly.
The man whose freedom was restricted and who was subjected to physical and verbal abuse, resided at his employer’s Georgetown residence, situated in a posh neighbourhood.

The store in which the young man worked.

When questioned by a police rank during the sting operation the employer, also an Indian national, admitted that the man’s passport was in his possession. Both men were taken into police custody to provide statements.
President of GWMO, Simona Broomes, who organized the sting operation, said this is the first rescue mission that the organization has executed in the City. Usually complaints of human trafficking in the City are referred to the police. However, constant e-mails and messages to the GWMO about the man’s maltreatment forced the body to act.
Yesterday before noon, Broomes, an officer of the Ministry’s TIP Unit and a police rank walked into Satnam Variety Store under the guise of shopping. The victim, who was assisting customers, secretly expressed fear and the need to be rescued. He begged the team not to leave without him.
Additional ranks joined the operation subsequently and the man was rescued. The men were taken to Police Headquarters at Eve Leary to assist with investigation.
According to Broomes, the victim recounted his terrifying situation of abuse to the police in a statement. He does not want to leave Guyana since his family in India is depending on him financially.
Broomes said this is not the first time that the employer is being accused of maltreatment. Apparently, two men who were employed under similar circumstances at the store lodged a complaint against the man at the Ministry of Labour.