AN illegal Indian worker who was rescued near-starving after hiding in a burned-out house in Adliya for nine months will fly home next Tuesday.

Rajay Kumar, aged 32, has been given food, clothing and a bed in a charity shelter, while embassy officials and volunteers sort out sending him home under the Easy Exit amnesty.

The labourer came to Bahrain two years ago to work for a construction company, but ran away after friends convinced him he could get better wages elsewhere.

Mr Kumar ran away from the company and the accommodation it provided in search of a new job, but could neither find work nor a place to live.

He has been "squatting" in the burned-out shell of a house ever since and says he was too afraid to return to his sponsor.

Mr Kumar's plight came to light on Sunday when he approached Al Mahmood Company site manager N K Mohammed Ali, who is also Malappuram Jilla Pravasi Association (MJPA) vice-president, for a job.

Mr Ali took Mr Kumar to the Indian Embassy on Sunday and officials have fast-tracked an outpass, so he can leave without his passport, which is with his sponsor.

Details are now being finalised with the Labour Market Regulatory Authority to allow him to leave under the Easy Exit amnesty for illegal workers and residents.

Mr Kumar will fly with Air Lanka to Coimbatore, then travel on to Kaniyakumari, Tamil Nadu, to be reunited with his wife Bhagawati.

He has not spoken to her for more than nine months and social workers were arranging a phone card for him to try to call her last night.

MJPA general-secretary Chemban Jalal said Mr Kumar was now living in the association shelter and they were providing him food and clothing.

"He (Mr Kumar) will leave Bahrain next Tuesday, as the outpass is ready and Indian Community Relief Fund (ICRF) has provided the ticket for him," said Mr Jalal.

"We are completing all the documents."

Mr Jalal said he had received several distress calls from other illegal or abused workers, since Mr Kumar's plight was highlighted in yesterday's GDN.

"Many labourers called and informed me about their problems, asking for help," he said.

"There are many who ran away from their companies seeking better wages to support their families.

"Some didn't get salaries and allowances on time and some haven't met their sponsors since they came to Bahrain.

"There are different cases and stories, which need to be solved and illegal workers to be sent home."

Mr Jalal thanked the embassy staff for their continuous support to poor and needy workers.

"I would like to thank the embassy officials for their support to the labour community, many of whom are unaware of Bahrain rules and regulations and are caught up in dreadful situations," he said.

"The case of Mr Kumar is genuine and we feel sorry for his condition."

Mr Jalal urged workers to report rogue bosses and companies to the embassy or social workers, instead of running away and becoming illegal.

"That's my message to all the workers and labour community and it's for their own safety," he said.

"They can report rogue bosses and companies to the embassy.

"They don't have to be afraid of anyone."

aneeqa@gdn.com.bh