A FOREIGN WORKER PUTS FINAL TOUCHES ON A RAIL STATION IN KUALA LUMPUR, 1998-08-15 (photo)

A foreign worker, Nur Khulis puts finishing touches on a light rail transit station in Kuala Lumpur August 15. Nur, an Indonesian, has to leave Malaysia when his contract with his current employer is terminated. He wishes to stay longer if it permits. Nur has been working as a labourer around Malaysia for the past 10 years and makes around 40 ringgit (US$9.55) per day. The Malaysian government is extending by another month the August 15 deadline as over 100,000 foreign workers, who were legalised during a nationwide exercise in 1995, have yet to renew their work permits. Malaysia is not renewing the work permits of those in the service sectors due to the economic downturn and negative growth prospects for 1998. BM/KK