Five families whose daughters were illegally trafficked to Malaysia to serve as domestic workers earlier this year are seeking their safe return after receiving word of the mistreatment they are being made to endure, rights group Adhoc said yesterday.

Adhoc coordinator Hou Sam Ol said that five families had filed a complaint to authorities seeking intervention after their daughters were recruited by Master Cam Human Resources Co Ltd in March, despite a longstanding ban on sending Cambodian domestic workers to Malaysia – which was itself prompted by widespread reports of abuse.

“The firm stole them to send them illegally. Now they are seeking help,” he said.

Kham Tey, 50, the father of domestic worker Tey La, 28, said his daughter managed to call the family and tell them about the conditions she and the others were suffering.

“She called me [to say] that … it’s difficult to live, because her boss mistreats her. She didn’t have enough food, no freedom and [her boss] doesn’t give them their salary. She called me for help, but I don’t know how to help her besides filing a complaint to the authorities,” he said.

Pi Pot, a brother of domestic worker Phay Rum, 18, said his sister had also called asking for help, but when the family tried to call back, they were unable to reach her.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Chum Sounry said the ministry had contacted the Cambodian Embassy in Malaysia for further information, and had told the families to give the embassy’s number to the women if they call again.