More than 4,500 illegal Bangladeshis have left Bahrain under a government amnesty launched four months ago, it emerged yesterday. Another 1,000 are in the process of leaving after registering for the Labour Market Regulatory Authority’s (LMRA) Easy Exit scheme, said Bangladesh Embassy first secretary Muhammad Ibrahim.

The embassy is hosting an open house on Friday to raise awareness of the scheme, which allows workers whose visas have expired to pay minimal fines to leave the country – and even return if they can secure a job.

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

Friday’s open house will be held at the embassy in Mahooz, from 7.30pm.