Action will be taken against Maldivians who employ undocumented workers as part of the government's efforts to tackle the problem of foreign nationals working illegally in the country, Immigration Controller Mohamed Shamaan Waheed has warned.
In a post from his official X account yesterday, Shamaan said that Maldivians employing a foreigner without a work permit for any type of work is an offence under the immigration law.
"And the Controller of Immigration has the discretion to fine that person up to MVR 50,000 under Article 33 (c) of the law and to hold the person's passport for a specific period," he wrote.
Despite not directly stating that he would take such action, Shamaan called on all parties to abide by the immigration law and regulations.
As part of efforts to solve the problem of migrant workers, 83 people were taken under immigration custody after four places in Male' were raided jointly by immigration and police on June 30. The authorities have now decided to deport the foreigners who were nabbed from illegally operated markets in Male'.
However, foreign workers have since reopened some of the raided markets, prompting calls on social media for action against Maldivians who enable the illegal businesses.
Shamaan's post appears to have been made in response to the calls.
The problem of migrant workers was overseen by the Economic Ministry under the previous government. However, the current government determined that the problem was related to national security and changed the mandate to the Home Ministry.
