Australian Couple Sentenced for Trafficking and Exploiting Migrant

A Brisbane couple is to serve at least two years jail term as they were found guilty of exploiting a Fijian woman. On Tuesday, 16 April, the Brisbane District Court gave the couple, 48-year-old Malavine Pulini and 60-year-old Isikeli Pulini, six and five years jail term respectively with a non-parole period of two years. They were found guilty of forced labor offenses last week and they as well pleaded guilty to housing an illegal noncitizen. The wife got an extra conviction for human trafficking. Malavine, the mother of four, trafficked the woman into Australia on a tourist visa. She promised her a longer visa as soon as they enter the country but she, with her husband, collected the woman's passport and forced her to serve them in multiple roles - nanny, cook, and maid - until she fled their home in 2016. They gave her $250 for two weeks, but sometimes the same amount goes for as long as seven weeks. Judge Leanne Clare said the Fijian woman was denied her freedom and her human rights were seriously stepped on.

A case of oppression

Judge Clare said she deemed it a matter of oppression. The tried enhancing the quality of their lives by denying another her fundamental human rights. She frowned at the lack of remorse observed in the couple regarding their treatment of the woman. The couple was not without support, but the judge said it was hard to reconcile the testimonies of friends and neighbors with the treatment of the victim. A victim impact statement read in the court revealed the agony of the woman as she felt helpless as she was treated like a slave for eight years. Stay in touch and get alerts & emails directly in your inbox by subscribing to Visa Crimes Check here for our latest immigration updates, local immigration activities, emerging trends, visa news updates for Australia, Canada, US, UK, Germany and more.