Undocumented migrant workers labelled ‘national security threat’
Around 130,000 migrant workers are believed to live in the Maldives, including 60,000 undocumented ones.
03 Jun 2018, 9:00 AM
Presidential hopeful Umar Naseer has pledged to deport all undocumented migrant workers from the Maldives, calling them a “national security threat” who are “taking away Maldivian jobs”.
In a five-minute video posted on Facebook Saturday, Naseer said he would give a deadline for the “40,000-plus” undocumented workers to register and that those who remained unregistered would be kicked out within his first 100 days in office.
Maldivians had become marginalised because the big jobs were taken by the Chinese while the menial work was being done by Bangladeshis, he alleged.
Around 130,000 migrant workers are believed to live in the Maldives, including 60,000 undocumented ones, the majority of whom are Bangladeshi and Indian men working in the construction and tourism sectors.
Become a member
Get full access to our archive and personalise your experience.
Already a member?
Discussion
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!
No comments yet. Be the first to join the conversation!
Join the Conversation
Sign in to share your thoughts under an alias and take part in the discussion. Independent journalism thrives on open, respectful debate — your voice matters.
