We were misled – families speak as 14 South Africans detained in Thailand face deportation

Fourteen South Africans detained in Thailand are expected to be deported back to South Africa in the coming days after allegedly being recruited for overseas jobs that did not materialise as promised.

The group was reportedly approached in South Africa by a recruiter offering work in the information technology sector before travelling to Thailand.

Families of the detainees say the employment arrangements turned out to be vastly different from what had been presented to them.

One relative, speaking on behalf of a detained family member, told the SABC that the group was prevented from communicating with people outside Thailand and was held in poor and degrading conditions, including cramped cells, limited access to basic hygiene facilities and little information about their legal options.

The public broadcaster has reported that Chrispin Phiri, spokesperson for the department of international relations and cooperation, said the South African embassy in Bangkok has been in regular contact with Thai authorities and has provided consular support in line with international guidelines.

He added that the department is assisting with travel documentation and coordinating with authorities in South Africa ahead of the group’s return.

The department has also warned jobseekers to carefully vet recruiters and employment contracts before travelling abroad, noting that misleading job offers continue to place South Africans at risk.

The latest case adds to growing concern over South Africans being lured to Southeast Asia under false promises of employment.

IOL has previously reported on several cases in which South Africans were trafficked to countries including Thailand and Myanmar, where some were allegedly forced to work in online scam operations under coercive conditions.

Earlier this year, the international relations and cooperation department confirmed that dozens of South Africans had been repatriated from scam compounds in the region, while families and civil society organisations warned that many more remain stranded or detained abroad after falling victim to fraudulent recruitment schemes. – IOL News

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