The state has recovered more than MVR 1 billion overdue from various fees related to foreign workers, Homeland Security Minister Ali Ihusan said yesterday.
Speaking at a press conference at the President's Office, Ihusan said MVR 1.7 billion was owed to the state in visa fees, work permit fees, quota fees and penalties as of June 3.
"As of this time today, the amount due to the state is at MVR 703,799.250 So we have recovered more than MVR 1 billion since June 3," he said.
Noting that those who have not made payments are blocked from the Expat system, Ihusan said the system will resume services to them once the payments are settled.
The state has not received the fees related to 102,807 foreigners registered in the names of 10,619 employers. However, the ministry only announced the names of 1026 who owe more than MVR 100,000.
The list includes companies belonging to government officials and MPs and some large corporations.
Ihusan said operation Kurangi had been expanded to 82 islands to register information on expat workers across the country.
He noted that officials from island councils were trained in Male' to conduct the operation on the islands.
Ihusan said the aim is to continue the collection of the information till April next year but it is expected to be completed by January.
In addition, the software required for Operation Kurangi has been developed and facial recognition of foreigners is being done through the software, he said.
