Maldives Immigration, in collaboration with the Maldives Police Service, detained 33 expatriates during a focused operation on undocumented workers in Thilafushi, the country’s industrial hub. The joint effort underscores the government’s commitment to addressing illegal employment practices and ensuring compliance with immigration regulations.
Enforcing Immigration Laws
The operation conducted in Thilafushi targeted expatriates suspected of violating immigration laws. With the industrial zone being a hotspot for migrant workers, authorities aimed to assess the legal status of individuals living and working there.
Key Details from the Operation:
- Total Individuals Checked: 257 expatriates underwent compliance checks.
- Detained Workers: 33 individuals were found without valid work visas and taken into custody.
- Notices Issued: 22 individuals received written instructions to report to Immigration offices for further investigation.
- Resources Deployed: 28 Immigration Officers and 35 Police Officers participated in the operation.
Authorities emphasized that such operations aim to identify undocumented workers and streamline labor practices in the Maldives.
ތިލަފުށީގައި ގަވާއިދާ ހިލާފަށް އުޅޭ ބިދޭސީންނަށް އަމާޒުކޮށް ޓާސްކުފޯހުން އިއްޔެ ހެނދުނު ވަނީ ހާއްސަ ރެއިޑް އޮޕަރޭޝަނެއް ހިންގާފައި. އިމިގްރޭޝަނުގެ 28 އޮފިސަރުންނާއި ފުލުހުންގެ 35 އޮފިސަރުން ބައިވެރިވި މި ރެއިޑުގައި 257 ބިދޭސީއަކު ވަނީ ޗެކްކޮށްފައި. މީގެތެރެއިން ސައްހަ ވިސާއެއް… pic.twitter.com/4F3axOsv5b
— Maldives Immigration (@ImmigrationMV) November 22, 2024
A Nationwide Crackdown on Illegal Employment
The Maldives government has ramped up efforts to address issues surrounding undocumented expatriate workers. This recent operation is part of a broader initiative to enforce compliance and improve labor standards across the country.
Progress So Far:
- Deportations: Over 5,000 expatriates have been deported in similar operations in recent years.
- Regular Monitoring: Immigration officials continue to conduct routine inspections to identify and address non-compliance.
- Employer Accountability: Authorities urge employers to ensure their workers’ documentation is in order to avoid penalties.
The Immigration Department reiterated its stance on creating a fair and lawful labor environment, ensuring expatriates working in the Maldives adhere to local laws.
Thilafushi plays a vital role in the Maldives’ economy as a major industrial zone, attracting both businesses and workers from various countries. However, the rapid expansion of industries in the area has led to challenges in managing labor practices.
Persistent Issues:
- Unregulated Employment: Many workers arrive in the Maldives through informal channels, leading to a lack of documentation.
- Employer Negligence: Some businesses fail to obtain proper visas for their employees, contributing to the problem.
Officials have called for stricter oversight and greater employer responsibility to address these persistent issues.
The Maldives government is actively working to streamline the legal status of expatriates and improve labor conditions in industrial zones like Thilafushi. Authorities encourage employers and workers to collaborate in ensuring compliance with immigration laws.
By maintaining stringent enforcement measures and raising awareness about the importance of lawful employment practices, the government aims to build a more regulated and transparent labor market.
