LONGVIEW (KYTX) -- Hiway 80 Rescue Mission served as a safe haven over the weekend for two Chinese national men who came to Longview on the promise of earning high wages but claim they were deceived and manipulated by a massage business operating out of Longview Mall.
The men, both with passports from China, were brought to Hiway 80 Rescue Mission on Thursday evening by the Longview Police Department after the police were made aware of their situation. Through the assistance of a Mandarin translator by phone, the Chinese men were able to convey they had come to Longview from Los Angeles on the promise of being paid $4,000 a month to work in a massage kiosk in Longview Mall. The Chinese men state that once they arrived in Longview, they were told they would not receive the agreed upon wages because they did not have the proper licensing. The men said instead they were paid $20 a day and much of that amount was taken out for rent.
"It's hard to believe we have people being exploited right here in East Texas," said Eric Burger, Executive Director of Hiway 80 Rescue Mission. "We are thankful we are in a position at the Mission to help these men and provide their needs during what has been an uncertain and frightening time for them."
One of the men has returned to Los Angeles by flight, and the other man, age 50, is scheduled to return to Los Angeles on Tuesday, April 28. He has expressed his gratitude to Mission employees for providing him with a safe place to stay, meals and assistance.
Hiway 80 Rescue Mission Ministries has been serving the needs of the homeless and needy in the East Texas area since 1955. The Mission provides rehabilitation for homeless men, women and children in crisis through the Men's Shelter and Women & Families Shelter in Longview and the Tyler Outreach Office. The Mission is a non-denominational, Christian, social services organization. For more information, please contact Eric Burger, Executive Director of Hiway 80 Rescue Mission, at 903-759-8101 or visit the Mission website atwww.hiway80rm.org.
