Illegal Expatriates to be Deported from Maldives

Maldives President and the Cabinet has yesterday decided to send unregistered expatriate workers back to their countries. The decision was made after discussing a paper prepared by the Ministry of Human Resources, Youth and Sports on illegal foreign workers in the country.

The government conducted a programme across the country, from 1 June to 31 August, to register all unregistered expatriate workers in the Maldives. During the programme, companies and individuals who expressed interest in hiring the expatriate workers were also registered.

The cabinet decided to discuss with those companies and individuals in finding jobs for registered workers.

The cabinet also decided that where a Maldivian takes the responsibility for an expatriate worker and pays necessary fees to the government, such workers will be allowed to stay back. A one month period will be given to do this.

Foreign workers in other islands will also be required to register at the island offices.