Illegal workers stuck in Malaysia

Illegal workers stuck in Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR (AP): A human rights worker said more than 40,000 illegal Bangladeshis have lost jobs in the economic slump but cannot afford the repatriation fine to go home, a newspaper reported yesterday.

Gulam Ahad, of the Sheikh Mujib Memorial Center,is urging Malaysia's Immigration Department to waive the fee of up to 3,000 ringgit (US$715) for illegal workers exiting the country, the Star newspaper reported.

Gulam, president of the Kuala Lumpur-based Bangladeshi migrant worker center, said most of the workers could afford the 750 ringgit ($180) for air travel but are trapped in Malaysia by the high fine.

He said between 40,000 and 60,000 Bangladeshis cannot afford the fine. Bangladesh High Commissioner Wajid Ali Khan Panni said Gulam's estimate of the number of Bangladeshis seeking repatriation is exaggerated, and added that in the past Malaysia's Immigration Department has waived the fine when necessary.