Ministry of Interior raids office linked to illegal worker visas
Authorities raided the office, arresting its operators and 29 Asian female workers, and seized receipts, waivers, and ready-to-use transaction documents during the search.
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Investigations revealed that the office was issuing visas for 120 dinars each and then reselling the workers’ contracts for amounts ranging between 1,100 and 1,300 dinars, in addition to the official fees approved by the competent authorities.
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The Ministry of Interior stressed that human trafficking is a serious crime that undermines human values and societal security and that authorities will confront it firmly, taking all legal measures against the perpetrators.
The General Department of Criminal Investigation, through its Residence Affairs Investigations Department, has raided a domestic worker recruitment office in Fahaheel linked to human trafficking and illegal visa facilitation in exchange for money. The move is part of the Ministry of Interior’s ongoing efforts to combat organized crime and unlawful practices, Al Jarida newspaper reported.
The action followed investigations and intelligence indicating that the office was selling visas and illegally housing and employing workers. In response, a security team was formed in coordination with the Public Authority for Manpower’s Domestic Labor Department. With legal authorization from the Public Prosecution, authorities conducted an ambush and raid, arresting the office operators along with 29 female workers of Asian nationality residing there.
During the search, receipts, waivers, and ready-to-use transaction documents were found. Investigations revealed that the office was issuing visas for 120 dinars each, then reselling the workers’ contracts for amounts ranging between 1,100 and 1,300 dinars, in addition to the official fees approved by the competent authorities.
The workers’ testimonies indicated that they were subjected to forced labor, confinement in the residence, and mistreatment. They were placed in a shelter, while the incident and the parties involved were referred to the Public Prosecution, which registered Case No. 2025/727 – Criminal Investigation Felonies, on charges of human trafficking and facilitating visas in exchange for money. All the accused were remanded to central prison for 21 days pending investigation.
The Ministry of Interior affirmed that it will continue to pursue anyone who violates the law or attempts to exploit workers illegally. It stressed that human trafficking is a serious crime that undermines human values and societal security and that authorities will confront it firmly, taking all legal measures against the perpetrators.
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