Kuala Lumpur: Tenaganita program officer Ashiqur Rahman urged all illegal Bangladeshi migrants in Malaysia to go back home to avert legal action as well as bitter consequence.

Tenaganita is an award winning NGO, which works for laborers rights. Ashiq and his colleagues have been carrying on legal battle for over one thousand Bangladeshi workers in Malaysia.

Recently, Asiqur Rahman in an exclusive interview with Banglanews has suggested the safe return of illegal Bangladeshi workers. He also discussed about various legal aspects.

He said that at present only the students of post graduation level can work in Malaysia. But, if they are only graduate, or diploma or any equivalent degree holders, they cannot work of any nature as per the current law of the country. This is a punishable offence. However, the case of internship is different.

The agents, who are bringing the Bangladeshis with the hope of alluring job, are cheating the clients. Students can work from 6 to 10 hours, courses will be complete within three years - all are lies.

However, some hotel management courses have been designed in such a manner that you will have to attend classes for one year then you can work for two years in hotel.

This work in hotel is considered as a part of their study. Some remuneration is also given for the purpose.

But, if any one is caught by the immigration official, he will be arrested on charge of misuse of visa and will be sent to jail custody for indefinite period.

The jail period will depend on the will of the magistrate, who can hand down imprisonment any period from three months to one year along with lashes and a fine of three thousand ringgits to twenty thousand ringgits.

Again, if you are an unregistered foreigner then your fate will be decided by the investigation officer, Asiqur said.

He further suggested that if there is anybody unregistered then go back home. As the election in Malaysia is approaching, the incidents of arrest are getting intensified. So, it is better to obey the law of the land. If anybody is arrested, his entry will be banned in Malaysia for five years.

When asked about them, who are in jails, he replied that a ticket will be arranged after getting their body number.

If that man has a passport, he is to submit a photocopy of it and those not, they should collect travel passes from Bangladesh embassy.

Moreover, the Bangladeshi prisoners are being sent to their homeland every Friday. Migrants, who are in jail or under legal process, are to collect the documents as early as possible.

If there is any document of giving money to any agent against any receipt, then they are to collect those documents as early as possible, Ashiq requested.

Those who have come with tourist visa, they can avail the amnesty program for returning home after paying a fine of from 400 to 500 ringgits.

However, the amnesty program is now running at Penang.

Besides, all information will be available at Jalan Duta Immigration Department in Malaysia.

BDST: 1720 HRS, MAR 30, 2015