The Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) has announced the winners of its Easy Exit Scheme raffle draw, held in conjunction with Bahrain Duty Free.

Expatriate workers who are taking advantage of the scheme and returning to their home countries have a chance of winning BD20 vouchers upon their departure.

Successful applicants will be picked at random to win weekly prizes, in a draw at the LMRA headquarters, Sanabis.

The Easy Exit Scheme allows workers whose visas have expired to pay minimal fines to leave the country and escape prosecution.

Expatriates who overstay their work visas can leave Bahrain after paying a fine of BD15, while those who overstay visit visas can go after paying BD25.

An estimated 43,000 expatriates are living in Bahrain illegally.

The first 10 winners were Bangladeshis Abid Miah, Mominul Hque, Mozammel Miah, Helal Hossain, Ali Uddin, Motakabbir Rashid and Indians Raju Gajula, Govindan Sanniyasi, Felix Sebastian and Gangaiah Jillapelli.