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s many as 19 victims of alleged human trafficking in Bintaro, Banten, arrived in Ungaran, Semarang regency, Central Java, on Thursday.

The victims were sent to the provincial rehabilitation center before being sent to their respective hometowns. Aged between 15 and 20 years, the girls came from several regions in the province: seven from Brebes, Tegal (three), Cilacap (four), Kudus (two), Banyumas (two) and one from Kendal.

They said they were initially interested in working as maids because they were promised high wages. They were told they would receive training and would later be found work by PT Citra Kartini Mandiri, a supplier of domestic staff.

'€œWe were happy to be recruited because the brochures said we would receive training, good food during the training and decent accommodation,'€ said one of the girls, 17-year-old Lili (not her real name).

In reality, however, they received inhumane treatment during their stay at the company'€™s headquarters. They received poor food and often suffered harsh punishment from both the company'€™s management and the trainers.

Little or no bedding was provided with some having to sleep under beds because no other space was available.

Lili said she was once forced to go up and down stairs six times because she was accused of having lost something belonging to the child of the company manager.

'€œWe were also told to take care of the boss'€™ house, including taking care of their children,'€ she said.

The Central Java Social Affairs Agency head, Budi Wibowo, said that the 19 girls were among dozens of other girls held by the company. The alleged abuse was uncovered by South Tangerang Police on Oct. 18.

'€œThey were recruited by agents with the promise they would receive free training,'€ Budi said. In practice, he said, they were obliged to refund the training expenses of Rp 2.5 million (US$216) in installments after they got a job.

During their stay at the agency'€™s rehabilitation center, Budi said the girls would be trained in make-up and dress making before they were sent back to their hometowns.

They will stay at the center for four months for the training that will start in early 2014.

After finishing their training, they will be given a set of tools according to the skills they have learned at the center in order to be able to start their own businesses or get employment. '€œThey'€™ve agreed to the plan,'€ Budi said.

Budi added that the girls would be sent back to their respective hometowns and promised that they would not be picked upon by the agency that had recruited them.