9 more rescued migrant workers return home

Nine more Bangladeshis, who were rescued by the Malaysian authorities during the Southeast Asian migrant crisis in May this year, returned home yesterday.

They arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport around 6:00pm by a flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines.

They are: Mohammad Islam, Mohammad Azim and Rafiqul Islam of Jessore; Monowar Hossain of Jhenaidah; Salim Uddin of Cox's Bazar; Alim of Chuadanga; Ali Amzad of Sunamganj; and Mohammad Apon and Faruba of Narsinghdi.

Asif Munier, spokesperson for the International Organisation for Migration, told The Daily Star that the workers were provided with snacks and transport cost needed to get home. They are a part of some 4,000 Bangladeshis and Rohingyas of Myanmar who were rescued by the authorities of Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Myanmar from the rickety boats used by the human traffickers. Of the total 698 Bangladeshis, who were sheltered in different camps in Malaysia, 506 have been repatriated, while repatriation of 192 others is under process, said Shahida Sultana, first secretary of Bangladesh High Commission in Kuala Lumpur.