The government of Malaysia and Bangladesh are working together to fingerprint the estimated 500,000 Bangladeshis working in Malaysia. This is part of a wider initiative to fingerprint the two million illegal immigrants in Malaysia. Most of these illegal immigrants come from poorer surrounding regions to work in Malaysia’s construction and plantation jobs.
Malaysia is offering amnesty to illegal immigrants who report to officials from July 11th to July 25th. While some illegal immigrants who come forth may be allowed to keep their jobs and stay in Malaysia, others will be deported but will not face penalties for their illegal stay.
The Malaysian and Bangladeshi governments are also hoping to track and arrest traffickers, syndicates, or any third parties who exploit Bangladeshi workers.