Witchcraft and threats used against trafficked workers

WITCHCRAFT and other threats have been used by employers to keep control of workers trafficked into Ireland for the sex industry and labour market.

People rescued last year also reported they were denied food and drink, forced to hand over their travel documents, worked excessive hours and were also subjected to debt bondage.

Sexual, physical and psychological abuse were employed by bosses against vulnerable workers and, in some cases, threats were made to family members back home. And Juju, a form of witchcraft practiced in some African countries, was used to put some workers in fear.