Transcript
It's been months since the 101 Bangladeshi men were first placed under state care in Vanuatu's capital Port Vila in November.
But despite the detention and ongoing trial of their alleged captors, who smuggled them in on a web of false promises, little else has changed.
And now, according to a representative for the men, Shahin Khan, they are being pressured by both Vanuatu and Bangladesh to return home.
"We will not move until our compensation is made because we have lost lots of money and our situation is very bad back home."
Mr Khan says the migrants are demanding $US1.8 million in compensation from Bangladesh.
He says if they can't pay up or provide the men with jobs in a third country, then Vanuatu should pay the compensation.
It's a demand unlikely to carry much sway -- although lured by a businessman, the men came to Vanuatu of their own free will.
An immigration officer in Vanuatu, Stephen Willie, says he doesn't think the government will pay or allow the men to stay.
"Some of their travel documents will expire and their visa so they will need to go back."
A secretary with Bangladesh's High Commission in Australia, Nahid Afroz, didn't address possible payouts but confirmed officials were seeking the group's return.
Shahin Mr Khan says during meetings last month, Ms Afroz was rude to the men, refusing their demands and insisting they return home or die without care.
Ms Afroz didn't comment on the allegations.
Still, a push to resettle the men appears to be gaining traction.
According to a victims report provided by Mr Khan, 14 have said they are willing to return home.
And soon the rest may have little choice.
Mr Khan says the Vanuatu government has been giving them less rations.
"Day by day they are decreasing from here and back home, [we are] having very big problem because we men, the one who be the earner for our families, we are staying here, we are not earning single money."
Mr Khan says police also told the men only a handful of them were needed to testify in the trial and the rest would be asked to return to Bangladesh.
He says police officers told them the government would stop providing food and shelter to anyone who refused to go back.
Stephen Willie denies rations are being reduced and says the men will be returned to Bangladesh when they are no longer able to stay in Vanuatu legally.
This is Mackenzie Smith.
