Problem of illegal foreign workers can only be solved with the cooperation of the public: Immigration

The Department of Immigration has said that the problem of foreigners working illegally in the Maldives can only be solved with the cooperation of the public.

Speaking to the media at their Head Office today, Chief Executive Officer of the Immigration Department Abdullah Munaz said that Maldivians who provide accommodation and employment for illegal foreign workers must cease doing so, and cooperate with the department in its efforts to find and take action against illegal foreign workers as per the Immigration Act.

“Regardless of the amount of work done in this regard by the Immigration Department in collaboration with the police, this problem can only be solved with the cooperation of the public. The Maldivians who are providing accommodation and employment for illegal foreign workers need to stop doing that. That’s the only way to end this,” he said.

Munaz said that a large number of foreign workers working illegally at the local market area had been taken under the supervision of the department following operations carried out in collaboration with the police. He said that sixty illegal foreign workers were arrested last week.

He said that in addition to those foreigners who are currently under arrest, more than 3,000 foreigners had been repatriated so far this year.