44-year-old Bangladeshi man has spent nearly quarter-century living illegally in Hong Kong, unable to return home or build a family, a viral Facebook post has revealed. Yet earning steadily through informal jobs. Over this long period, his total income has amounted to almost TK 6 lakh 32 thousand (HKD 40 thousand).

Hasan Atik, a field agent at Manabik Raktabank blood bank, shared heartbreaking incident in Facebook group ‘Nomadic Traveler’ on Thursday (November 20).

Unnamed migrant arrived 24 years ago (2001). He once served 18 months in prison for overstaying yet earned HKD 28,000-29,000 (TK 4 lakh 42 thousand 344.50 to 4 lakh 58 thousand 142.52) monthly selling cigarettes inside jail. Currently, he makes around HKD 40 thousand (TK 6 lakh 31 thousand 920.71) as a delivery worker.

Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) and the surrounding skyline along Victoria Harbour. 

Despite sending money home to build a house, buy cars and land, the man never married. He missed funerals of loved ones and never experienced normal romance. “Is this really the life you dreamed of?” Atik asked him. The reply highlighted years lost to an undocumented existence.

Atik warned that many South Asians now see Hong Kong as easier than Europe or Australia because people believe they can “stay somehow” indefinitely. Most undocumented Bangladeshis have lived there 20-25 years. Diplomatic issues often block voluntary return.

The post quickly gained traction but drew corrections that Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region of China, not a country. Other readers shared similar tales of sacrifice abroad or posted emotional reactions.

Atik described the city as a place where 'the word nothing doesn’t exist' yet urged migrants to recognise the hidden cost of illegal stay. Thousands viewed the post, sparking debate on the true price of overseas dreams.

Source: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CaQt5v2Az/