172 Myanmar migrant workers return home
Published on Wednesday, 17 July 2013 20:24
Myanmar migrant workers arriving back from Malaysia on July 16 (Photo - EMG)
A total of 172 Myanmar migrant workers who were jailed in Malaysia returned home on Tuesday after local businesses provided donations and assistance for their repatriation.
A support programme jointly organized between Sitagu Sayadaw and Kanbawza Bank Ltd. managed funds from multiple donors to pay for the release of detained workers who were jailed under the immigration laws of Malaysia. The returnees included 15 women, five children and two medical patients.
"I was arrested at the border of Thailand and Malaysia. I was behind the bars for over one month after entering Malaysia via Kawthoung in Thailand. In the prison, I got a disease. Mosquitoes bite me. The foods are not good to eat. I am now very happy upon arrival to Myanmar," said a woman of fifty years old.
The remaining prisoners will be returning on July 21 or 2 after over US$ 100,000 were paid for the release of 400 prisoners according to Dr. Myat Thu of the Sitagu support team.
Those who returned on Tuesday come various regions including Ayeyawady, Mon, Kayin, and Rakhine States.
"I was arrested while working in the rubber plantation. My working is not so long. I was behind the bar for over two months. I returned Myanmar with the assistance of Sitagu support team," said a worker from Mon state, only 14 years old.
US$ 100,000 was paid to return Myanmar migrant workers jailed in Malaysia. The donations were US$ 10,000 from Sitagu Sayadaw, US$ 10,000 from Asia Tawwin Clinic and US$ 80,000 from Eleven Media. MAI Airlines provided free flights.
Source: http://www.news.myanmaronlinecentre.com/2013/07/18/172-myanmar-migrant-workers-return-home/
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