Bahraini lawmaker wants stricter sanctions vs. 40,000 illegals

Saying that they pose social and economic threats to Bahrain, a lawmaker there is calling for stricter sanctions against some 40,000 foreigners who are staying illegally in that country. A report of Gulf News quoted MP Abdul Halim Murad as saying, "We see illegal expatriates, mainly unskilled workers, everywhere as if there is nothing wrong with their status."   Murad said the phenomenon has "severe social impacts, including the abnormal increase in the number of people in Bahrain, unfair competition against Bahrainis, the establishment of fake companies, the spread of theft, involvement in crime, the spread of infectious diseases, trading in alcohol and prostitution."   

The Bahrain labor ministry said around 40,000 foreigners are staying illegally in the country. The report said the illegals are "usually victims of rackets in their home countries, are flown into the country on promises of secure jobs, end up doing odd jobs to pay their local sponsors, send some cash to their families and survive in difficult conditions. - VVP, GMA News