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.