Man accused of trafficking woman to work in Sask. restaurant says she lied on her resume

WATCH: One of two men accused in a Saskatchewan human trafficking trial took the stand for a second day of testimony on Tuesday.

Sohel Haider’s testimony continued Tuesday morning, as the man accused of human trafficking detailed how the woman at the centre of the case became associated with his restaurants.

The alleged victim — whose name is protected under a publication ban — previously testified she had personal documents and wages taken by the accused, and at one point was made to live in a dirty, unkempt basement.

The woman moved to Canada from Bangladesh before seeking employment at one of Haider’s restaurants in Gull Lake. On Monday, Haider testified the woman was not officially hired prior to her moving to the small Saskatchewan community, as his application to hire a new foreign worker was still pending approval.

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Haider claims that although the woman did not have the restaurant skills she listed on her resume, he allowed her to spend time in his Gull Lake restaurant while she sought out alternative employment and navigated the process of obtaining employment permits.

During the time, Haider claimed that the woman was receiving temporary shelter in Tisdale from his co-accused while she was seeking a place to live. While the woman was on her way to Elrose with Masum, Haider received a concerned call from his co-accused.

“Masum called me saying that he cannot drive anymore because she’s screaming, crying, making noise and he’s scared to drive,” Haider said.

Upon speaking with the woman over the phone, Haider claims that she expressed feeling mentally unwell.

“She said, ‘well, I am not mentally feeling good to go right now and I need to relax a little bit and have a little more time, I come in two days,’” Haider said.

Haider testified that the woman and Masum returned to Tisdale, and remained in a back and forth communication regarding when she would begin work at a third restaurant, in Elrose, Sask. But Haider says the woman continued to postpone the move.

Haider told court that his foreign worker permit was specific to the complainant.

“I used my permit for her, so now I am kind of stuck with her...If she didn’t show up, I would have to start over again.”

Haider told court he believed the woman was looking for other work in Tisdale, which would not have complied with her work permit.

Haider told the court that after significant back and forth, Masum drove the woman to Elrose for her to begin work at Bob’s Diner — before she was picked up by the executive assistant for Saskatchewan MLA Doug Steele and taken to a women’s shelter, and later making a statement to the RCMP.

Haider testified to having a separate house in Elrose for his employees to live in, if they chose. Upon arriving to the house, he claims the woman refused to get out of the car.

“She says, ‘no, I’m not getting out. I don’t wanna be here’ ... I said please get out of the car...but she said, ‘no, I don’t wanna get out,’” Haider said.

He testified the woman eventually came inside the house. Haider said she was visibly upset as he gave her a tour of the space but did not say why. Haider said he felt hesitant to leave the woman alone.

“Her face was so angry — screaming, crying, that kind of situation,” Haider said.

Haider claimed he eventually left the home to return to his restaurant, but felt nervous about it. He offered the woman a hug upon leaving, which she declined.

According to Haider, the woman began work at the diner a few days later.

“She worked for two days and on third day, she sent me a message that she’s sick. I said ‘okay, stay home,’ and after lunch, busy hour....the other worker that was living in the house, he go home for break ... so after he got home ... he called my wife and says ‘nobody is in the house, not a person in the house,’” Haider said.

Haider testified to calling the RCMP to report a missing person later in the day.

The following morning, Haider said he reached out to Steele and left a message asking he had any information about her whereabouts.

Haider also claims that he went to Steele’s office in Gull Lake to ask the staff there if they knew anything.