Sidoarjo. A joint team of police, immigration officers and local government officials raided a restaurant in Sidoarjo, East Java, on Wednesday and detained its Syrian owner for questioning following allegations of sexual harassment and labor violations involving employees.

The owner, identified only by the initials DW, was taken to the Surabaya Immigration Office for questioning after allegedly attempting to obstruct the operation at his restaurant in the Geluran area of Taman district.

The establishment, identified as Resto 116, had recruited a number of employees but had not officially opened to customers.

Workers, most of them women, were taken to the Sidoarjo Police headquarters to provide statements as authorities investigated complaints about their treatment at the restaurant.

Fahim Attamimi, a lawyer representing the employees, said the investigation began after workers reported alleged harassment, mistreatment and discrepancies between their employment agreements and actual working conditions.

"Employees have reported alleged harassment and other forms of mistreatment," Fahim said in Sidoarjo.

One employee, identified as Bilal, said the duties he was assigned differed significantly from the position he had originally accepted.

"I applied for and was hired as a chef, but I ended up working as a laborer and doing cleaning duties," Bilal said.

In addition to the alleged employment violations, police are also investigating claims of sexual harassment at the restaurant.

Sidoarjo Police Chief Bobby Condroputra said the allegations were being investigated by police units responsible for the protection of women and children and offenses involving people smuggling.

Sidoarjo Deputy Regent Mimik Idayana said 16 people were employed at the establishment, which she said lacked the necessary permits from the local government.

Authorities have not announced formal criminal charges against DW, and the allegations remain under investigation.

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