Eleven of the 23 Cambodian fishermen rescued from Thai fishing boats in Mauritius returned home yesterday after efforts by the Foreign Ministry and the International Organization for Migration.

The men – who were from the provinces of Oddar Meanchey and Siem Reap – had been promised jobs as plantation workers but were put on Thai fishing boats and forced to work in virtual slavery.

The remaining 12 fishermen are scheduled to return home tomorrow.