Ministry of Economic Development has launched a programme to identify undocumented expatriate workers who wish to return to their home countries.
The programme was launched as part of the efforts of the administration to resolve the issue of the growing number of undocumented expatriates living in the Maldives. Under the programme, officials of the economic ministry have been visiting areas occupied by expatriates in order to gather information on undocumented workers who wish to return to their home countries.
Speaking to PSM News, Labour Relations Officer at the economic ministry Mariyam Saifa Rasheed said the aim of the programme is to facilitate the repatriation of as many undocumented expatriates as possible. She noted a large number of expatriates contacted by the ministry have expressed their desire to return home.
The government has been conducting a major repatriation programme for expatriates amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Minister of Economic Development Fayyaz Ismail had earlier revealed the government aims to repatriate 20,000 expatriates this year.
The number of undocumented expatriates in the Maldives has risen to alarming levels over the years. Allegations of human trafficking have been raised against several local companies and businesses for bringing in large numbers of expatriates to the country and forcing them to live in poor conditions while refusing to pay their wages. It is estimated that there are over 60,000 expatriates in the Maldives without proper visa and documentation.