Covid-19: FM Shahid discusses issue of undocumented migrants with Bangladeshi counterpart

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdulla Shahid has raised the issue of Maldives' large undocumented Bangladeshi migrant population with Bangladeshi counterpart, AK Abdul Momen, and asked for its assistance in repatriating them "at the earliest".

The issue was discussed during a telephonic dialogue between the two ministers on Saturday, regarding possible collaborative efforts against Covid-19.

Minister Shahid - via Twitter - revealed that the safety of Maldivians residing in Bangladesh was also discussed during this conversation.

Further, the ministers discussed the urgent need to address the large numbers of undocumented Bangladeshi migrants residing in the Maldives.

As such, Bangladeshi Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen gave assurance of their full co-operation in Maldives' regularisation and repatriation efforts after the lock-down ends.

An estimate of 105,000 migrant workers currently work in the Maldives. This amount includes an overwhelming number of migrants without documentation such as passports and work visas. Immigration put the estimates at about 60,000.

While reports have found that most migrants are either victims of human traffickers or discriminatory employers, this community is at high risk for outbreaks due to lack of access to healthcare and inhumane living conditions.

As such, the government has set up an expatriate clinic in Hulhumale' where patients are not required to present any documentation.