President Dr Mohamed Muizzu announced that as of Thursday, 150,000 expatriates have completed biometric registration, which includes capturing ten fingerprints and facial recognition photographs.
This initiative, launched in May 2024, is part of broader efforts by the Government to solve the issue of undocumented migrants in the Maldives. While a special operation titled Operation Kurangi has been launched to collect information on foreigners, the operation is being conducted by establishing a system within local councils to collect biometric data from foreign nationals.
The government aims to bring a permanent solution to the issue of illegal migrants in Maldives by April 2027. Nearly 7,000 illegal migrants have been deported, according to the government.
In a post on his official X account, the President noted that migrant workers constitute the majority of the country’s labour force and underscored the importance of understanding their circumstances and working conditions.
He stated that establishing a comprehensive biometric identification system is a key step in addressing long-standing challenges concerning undocumented workers. He noted that this is a significant milestone in the government’s efforts to regulate and safeguard the rights of expatriates.
The President also expressed appreciation for the dedicated efforts of the immigration officers and technical teams who worked to make this initiative successful.
In his official address for International Labour Day, the President encouraged parents to raise children with a mindset focused on productivity and a strong work ethic.