Leading workers abroad during Covid-19 pandemic, couple appears in court

On March 18, Nghe An Provincial People's Court opened a first-instance criminal trial to try defendants Lo Thi Quy (born 1983), residing in Xa Luong commune (Tuong Duong) and Gia Ba Lu (born 1993), residing in Dooc May commune (Ky Son) for the crime of "Organizing for others to flee abroad.

Since 2015, Quy and her husband have often illegally left the country to Laos to work as construction workers. In addition, because of their foreign language skills, Quy was able to work as a construction contractor and hire workers in Laos. In early 2020, due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, Quy and his wife returned to Vietnam.

From July to September 2020, although the Covid-19 epidemic was complicated at this time, Quy still agreed to take workers to Laos to work.

The first time, Quy promised to take the father and son from Luong Minh commune (Tuong Duong) to Laos, and would arrange work and accommodation there. Quy called Gia Ba Lu to ask for guidance. Lu agreed and offered 500,000 VND/person. During the trip, a stranger asked to go with him, so Lu agreed to lead the way.

Two defendants in court. Photo: Tran Vu

By the end of September 2020, when 6 people from Luu Kien commune contacted him to ask to go to Laos to work, Quy agreed. Due to fear of the Covid-19 epidemic, Quy did not go with them this time but gave Lu's phone number to the workers to contact themselves. This time, Quy offered a price of 600,000 VND. All of the above money was paid by Quy and will be deducted from the workers' salaries.

At the end of September 2020, a worker who was unemployed and returned to Vietnam illegally was discovered by border guards.

Based on the arrestee's testimony and collected documents, the Nam Can International Border Guard Station, Nghe An Border Guard, executed an emergency arrest warrant against Lo Thi Quy and Gia Ba Lu.

At court, the two defendants admitted to their crimes. Defendant Quy said that due to his ignorance of the law, he agreed to contact the workers to go to Laos to work.

Considering the case comprehensively, the People's Court sentenced Gia Ba Lu to 4 years in prison, Lo Thi Quy to 3 years in prison, suspended.

For Quy's husband and the workers that Quy and Lu took away, the authorities have imposed administrative penalties.