Locals that employ undocumented workers to face a penalty

Work is underway to introduce laws that require action against locals that knowingly employ undocumented workers.

Economic Minister Fayyaz Ismail said that during a radio interview on Saturday, where he stressed that the incumbent administration has faced numerous obstacles in resolving the migrant workers’ issue.

The issue, including of undocumented workers as well as the quality of lifestyle provided to them, has been a bigger concern than usual recently especially due to their vulnerability to the Covid-19 pandemic.

While the government has been working to resolve the issue, this includes repatriation of undocumented workers. As such, over 8,000 undocumented workers were sent home by September 25, since the Covid-19 pandemic began.

Noting that they are working to resolve this as soon as possible, Fayyaz expressed concern over the lack of resources such as inspectors.

The minister added that they are conducting the work “despite the obstacles” and stressed that “it will take time to resolve the issue given the extent of it”.

Fayyaz also emphasized the importance of amending current laws and regulations in approving expatriate workers to business “to establish a system”.

Maldives Immigration had back in July said there are nearly 60,000 undocumented workers in the country, out of the nearly 200,000 workers.