Opposition coalition presidential candidate Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has pledged to exempt the Immigration department from handling approvals of expatriate workers.

Solih made the pledge during his trip to Kamadhoo on Monday.

He said that the numerous jobs meant for Maldivians have been taken over by foreigners and that while there are many illegal foreign workers in Maldives, the number of expatriates in the country could amount to 300,000.

Immigration currently approves foreigners entering the country for jobs and other related work. However, Solih did not specify which authority would handle these tasks in his administration.

Solih also said that one of the earliest projects the opposition coalition’s government will undergo is the development of Kamadhoo’s coast and establish a water supply and sewerage system. He also vowed to complete the youth center in the island, which has been left uncompleted for some time.

Noting that transportation is important for the guesthouse industry and businesses, Solih said that his administration will redevelop the transportation system, under which ferry services will be established connecting one island to another.