A 14-year-old Russian model, on a 'slave labour' contract in China, has died after being overworked and denied rest. The incident happened in China, where model Vlada Dzyuba had been sent for a three-month assignment by Perm modelling agency. The preliminary reason of death has been stated as chronic meningitis and sheer exhaustion.
Vlada was supposed to make an appearance at a fashion show in Shanghai but she collapsed and went into a coma before the show. She did not regain her consciousness and died two days later. Reportedly, she was unable to bear the strain of the 13 hour long show. However, she was too afraid to ask for medical attention, owing to her 'slave labour' contract, reports The Siberian Times.
Even though the contract permitted her to work at the most for three hours a week, she was under a tough and gruelling schedule. Her mother Oksana said that she was calling her family constantly, saying that she was extremely tired.
"Mama, I am so tired. I so much want to sleep," Vlada had told her mom. Following this, she got a high temperature and her illness began. Oksana had repeatedly told her daughter to consult a doctor but she didn't have time.
Head of Perm modelling agency Elvira Zaitseva stated, "No one expected it to lead to such consequences. We are now reaping what we have sown." Zaitseva confessed that she was not aware if the teenage model's contract included medical care.
Many young models are sent to China on such contracts, with less or no concern for their health and well-being. This unfortunate incident has brought the issue of slave labour into sharp focus, drawing the attention of people towards the sad fate of such aspiring stars.
The conditions under which Vlada was working in China will not be investigated by officials from Moscow. A Kremlin human rights official in Perm, Pavel Mikov, is also looking into the situations that led to this mishap.
