23 May 2019

The International Organisation for Migration, or IOM, has confirmed dozens of Bangladeshi men in Vanuatu are victims of trafficking.

The statement corroborates witness accounts from 101 migrants who said they were promised jobs, only to be tortured and enslaved.

Their alleged captors have since been detained and face hundreds of charges in Vanuatu, including human trafficking.

An IOM spokesperson said the organisation is now providing bi-weekly food rations to the victims - many of whom refuse to return home.

The spokesperson said it's working with Vanuatu's government to assist in a voluntary return of the migrants.

"This process includes medical checks and an assessment of their area of origin to determine their needs in terms of reintegration support when they return."

Collectively, the group is demanding $US1.8 million in compensation for lost work and alleged abuse from Vanuatu or Bangladesh, whoever will pay....