Living nightmare for Tan Hoang Phat masseuses
Print Forced prostitution, locking up in dog cages, exploitation and abuse are what former masseuses at the infamous Tan Hoang Phat parlor suffered as they testified in yesterday’s trial against the company’s boss and his accomplices.
Tan Hoang Phat employees
Phan Cao Tri, the owner of Tan Hoang Phat, recruited women as masseuses for his five parlors in Ho Chi Minh City and the neighboring provinces of Dong Nai and Binh Duong since 2005.
The women, many from poor rural areas, were forced to do not only massage but also sexual acts on customers for up to 16 hours a day, from 9 am to 1 am the following day.
Any masseuse complained by guests would be beaten or given a fine. During the non-work time, they were kept at Tri’s home. Tri arranged guards to keep watch on them to prevent them from escaping.
Authorities bust the place
The women had to sign a commitment that they would take only one leave for every six months of work and that any breach of this regulation would be subject to a fine of VND24 million (US$1,230).
Anyone who wanted to quit had to pay VND15 million ($770). Some who could not afford the money attempted to run away but were captured and beaten.
Anyone refusing to follow orders or about whom a customer complained would be beaten up or locked up without food in dog cages.
Not able to endure their sufferings, some fled and then reported their stories to the police. On December 6, 2008, the city Police raided Tan Hoang Phat and rescued 65 masseuses.
Sexual slavery
One of the victims, T.T.L.D. said that she worked for Tan Hoang Phat for four years and was paid VND500,000 ($25.6) a month as salary.
But with tips from customers, she said she could earn about VND10 million ($513) per month.
Many of them were beaten and forced to have sex with clients
Anyone wanting to take leave had to advance VND15-50 million ($770-2,560) and those who wanted to quit their job had to pay VND15-30 million ($770-1,538), the girl told the court yesterday.
D. said masseuses were forced to do sexual acts on customers. If they were found refusing to satisfy customers, they would be given penalties, including a deduction from their monthly income.
Any masseuse getting pregnant from their clients would be beaten and fined. D said she was once beaten mercilessly for this reason in front of 80 employees at the company. She later had to pay a fine of VND20 million ($1,026) and had all of her jewelry – about three taels of gold – seized.
After that, she was forced to make an abortion.
Another victim, N.T.K., said she had to pay VND15 million to Cuong and Ngo – two henchmen of Tri’s – for trying to flee the parlor.
She said she and her colleagues were watched strictly by about 10 security guards.
Except for some masseuses who were trusted by Tri, none of them was allowed to use mobile phones.
According to the case file, nine women had paid VND170 million ($8,720) to quit their jobs at the parlors.
Mothers’ pain
Tan Hoang Phat employees waiting to be questioned by police
Mrs. N.T.L., the mother of H.T., a former masseuse at Tan Hoang Phat, said her daughter failed in an attempt to escape the parlor and was later beaten cruelly. One of T.’s colleagues, who fled successfully, phoned to Mrs. L. telling her about T.’s situation. Mrs. L immediately went to Ho Chi Minh City to meet her daughter
Mrs. L. said she had to kneel down and begged Cuong to let T. to return home. Cuong eventually agreed on the condition that she had to pay the company VND15 million.
After paying the sum, T. was allowed to leave but suffered a social anxiety disorder for one year. She was afraid of going outside or associating with others and often experienced nightmares in which she cried, “Alas, do not… Set me free!…,” said Mrs. L.
Another mother, N.T.X.M. also said she had to pay VND15 million to Tan Hoang Phat so that her daughter, D.H. could leave the company after several months of working there.
The Ho Chi Minh City People's Court on Thursday sentenced Tri to 12 years imprisonment. Hau and Cuong got 10 and 9 years respectively. Nguyen Minh Phuong and Nguyen Hoai Nhanh, the manager and deputy manager of one of the five parlors, were sentenced to 3 and 2 years respectively. Their charges range from "illegally detaining people” to “appropriating properties". |
