Minister of Homeland Security and Technology Ali Ihusaan has stated the issue of illegal immigrants in the Maldives will be addressed within the upcoming year through legal channels.
Answering questions posed by Parliamentarians, Minister Ihusaan underscored the significant presence of illegal immigrants in the nation. While precise figures remain elusive, he revealed that out of 135,149 active work permits issued to Bangladeshis, only 39,004 are duly registered and valid. He expressed suspicion that the remaining permits are held by illegal immigrants, although many may have already left the Maldives according to border control records.
Moreover, Minister Ihusaan stressed the severity of illegal immigration as a national security concern, pledging firm action against those exploiting their influence in such matters. He condemned instances of institutional negligence, authority abuse, and illegal foreign recruitment, asserting strict measures against perpetrators.
Additionally, Minister Ihusaan disclosed that since the reinstatement of labor repatriation in the Maldives, 5,400 work permits have been granted. He noted that the Bangladeshi workforce is expected to reach the legal limit within four months, with 90,624 Bangladeshi nationals employed in the Maldives as of December 17, 2023. Furthermore, he revealed that 206 Bangladeshis had their visas annulled and left the country between November 12 and December 17, 2023.
Addressing inquiries about achieving the statutory target of 100,000 Bangladeshi labourers, Minister Ihusaan disclosed that 5,400 active work permits had been issued since December 17, with 4,000 workers already arriving. He projected that at the current rate, the allotted number could be depleted within the next four months.