Number of foreign workers increase in Maldives

The Audit Report of Ministry of Youth and Human Resources for 2011 has revealed that the number of foreign workers in the Maldives increased by overwhelming numbers over the past three years.

According to the statistics included in the report, the number of foreign workers in Maldives at the end of 2009 was 57,968.

The number increased to 83,418 by the end of 2010, and to 99369 by the end of September 2011.

The number of foreign workers increased by 44 percent in 2010, with the arrival of 25,450 new people.

It increased by 19 percent in the first nine months of 2011, with the arrival of 15,951 new people.

Most foreign nationals in Maldives are from Bangladesh, of which 69 percent work illegally.

The number of illegal foreign workers in Maldives is 45,758.

Illegal foreign workers owe MVR168.4 million to the government as visa fees.

The Auditor General’s recommendations include claiming this money from illegal workers, establishing the reasons behind the increase in illegal worker numbers, and taking action against those who have neglected their responsibility of managing this issue.