'I was a farm slave for 40 years'

Updated on: 16 January,2009 09:04 AM IST |
Agencies |

An Austrian woman was forced to live as a slave on a remote Austrian farm for more than 40 years.

omg! Martina Moik cannot read or write and does not know what a mobile phone is.

Martina Moik (55) says she was taken to the farm when she was 15 years old and has worked there her entire adult life.

Moik cannot read or write, does not know what a mobile phone is or have any clue about where she originally came from, social workers say.

The woman said she had been "treated well" on the farm. She was given free meals, dresses and work clothes, and was allowed to watch television.

But in 2004, her dairy farmer captor died, leaving her in the custody of his widow.

"She used to beat me and pull my hair u2026 she even took away my TV," Moik was quoted as saying. "Her husband was quite kind to me really, but I couldn't do anything right by her."

The farm where she stayed is in the alpine area of Styria the same area actor Arnold Schwarzenegger was born and raised.

Rs 100 a month

A local council spokesman said Moik had been seen by delivery men and others over the years, but no-one raised the alarm because her alleged captives said she worked for them. It's believed the woman was paid $2 (Rs 100) a month.

A tip-off over the weekend from a dairy farmer led to her release. She has been placed with another couple until it is decided whether she needs permanent care.

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