A Norwegian man and his Filipina wife have been arrested and charged with human trafficking, in a case involving their recruitment of three nurses from the Philippines to work at Oslo University Hospital.
The three women wound up heavily in debt to the man after feeling forced to borrow NOK 300,000 each (USD 55,000) to pay his alleged costs of their employment. They also felt threatened that they’d be sent back to the Philippines if they complained about their living and working conditions, which involved no extra pay for overtime or irregular hours, in violation of Norwegian labour agreements.
The conditions of their employment has also caused problems and embarrassment for the hospital, which is now subject to an investigation of how the women were exploited. They have since been offered full-time employment with all appropriate benefits, and help in arranging new accommodation.
The man and his wife now face remand custody, while police continue to investigate the case against them, reported Aftenposten.no.
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