Over 290,000 Migrant Workers Screened as Biometrics Drive Nears Completion

Authorities have logged the biometric data of 294,000 foreign workers across the country, leaving just around 1,100 unidentified migrants, Homeland Security Minister Ali Ihusan told Majlis today.
Responding to a lawmaker’s question regarding the government’s crack down on undocumented labor, Ihusan highlighted the stark contrast between the current database and what the administration inherited upon taking office.

According to the minister, state records previously contained biometric tracking for only 27,200 out of an estimated 295,678 foreign workers living in the Maldives.

“When we took over, state agencies had no way to biometrically identify roughly 270,000 migrants living here,” Ihusan said. “They were essentially unaccounted for.”
Through the ongoing national mapping initiative, officials have swept through islands to capture fingerprints, photos, and personal details of the expatriate workforce.

“Right now, the group we are genuinely concerned about—those who remain totally unidentified—is down to just 1,102 people,” the minister added. “That means out of the original 295,000, we’ve successfully brought 294,000 into the system.”

Alongside data collection, the Homeland Ministry is auditing existing work permits to root out fraudulent documentation and ensure employers keep their foreign staff compliant with local laws.