MP Advocates for Humane Treatment of Foreign Workers in the Maldives
Photo: Maldives Immigration
Parliament member for South Hulhumale’, Dr Ahmed Shamheed, has called for the humane treatment of foreign workers in the Maldives.
In a tweet, Dr Shamheed emphasised that foreign workers come to the country at great expense to meet the basic needs of their families. He criticised the current treatment of these workers by enforcement agencies, highlighting that many are left on the streets without receiving their salaries and allowances.
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ރާއްޖޭގަ މަސައްކަތް ކުރާ ބިދޭސީންނާއި މެދު އަމަލު ކުރުމަގައި އިންސާނީ ކަރާމާތް ނުގެއްލޭ ގޮތަށް އަމަލު ކުރުން މުހިންމު. ބިދޭސީ މަސައްކަތްތެރިން މިގައުމަށް މަސައްކަތް ކުރަން އަންނަނީ ބޮޑެތި ހޭދަކޮށް އެބައިމީހުންގެ އާއިލާތަކުގެ އެންމެ އަސާސީ ޒަރޫރީ ބޭނުން ފުއްދުމަށް އެހެން…— Ahmed Shamheed (@Ashamhyd) August 7, 2024
“It is a mistake to think that this country will benefit from arresting and detaining these workers in an inhuman manner without giving them the opportunity to seek their lost rights,” Dr Shamheed stated. He warned that such practices would continue to negatively impact the human trafficking index.
Meanwhile, the Controller General of Immigration, Mohamed Shamman Waheed, stated that the Maldives is targeting the deportation of close to 50,000 illegal immigrants over the next five years.
The crackdown is centred on three key objectives: the collection of biometric data through ‘Operation Kurangi’, offering opportunities for illegal expatriates to legalise their status, and stronger enforcement of relevant laws and regulations.
In collaboration with the Maldives Police Service, immigration authorities have been conducting regular raids at various locations to identify and apprehend illegal expatriates. Over 200 venues, including cafés, restaurants, and spa facilities, have been raided as part of this ongoing effort.
