60,000 RI workers to arrive soon

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