60,000 RI workers to arrive soon

JAKARTA: The Indonesian Red Cross said it was expecting between 60,000 and 70,000 migrant workers to arrive by the end of August in Nunukan, East Kalimantan, from Malaysia, which is expelling illegal workers with threats of jail and caning.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Red Cross said 15,251 workers were still in Nunukan as of Aug. 16, waiting to return legally to Malaysia with the sponsorship of 22 labor agencies. Another 10,357 were already back in Malaysia, it said.

Nunukan is one of the arrival points for the workers, from where many will return to their homes in the eastern parts of Indonesia.

Malaysia gave illegal workers until the end of July to leave the country, or face jail and caning if caught. Workers holding return tickets to Indonesia have until Aug. 31. -- JP