The Home Ministry of the Maldives has officially launched a significant initiative aimed at gathering detailed information on expatriate workers residing in Male. The campaign, dubbed Operation Kurangi, is a strategic move to address illegal migration and ensure that all foreign workers in the country are documented properly.
Starting on Saturday, the operation began its expansion into the greater Male’ area, after its initial launch in K. Himmafushi on May 2, 2024. The goal of Operation Kurangi is to collect biometric data, including photographs and fingerprints, from foreign workers across several key sectors in the Maldives, with a particular focus on those employed in the education sector.
A total of 75 officials from the Ministry of Homeland Security are participating in the operation, which runs daily from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. The data collection will be conducted not only in Male’ but also in Thilafushi and Gulhifalhu, areas that are home to many expatriate workers.
This operation is part of the broader government effort to curb illegal migration and strengthen the country’s immigration system. As of now, over 18,000 migrant workers have had their biometric data collected, with plans for the operation to be completed by April 2025.
Additionally, the government’s Anti-Trafficking in Persons (Anti-TIP) office will be screening expatriate workers during the event, providing an added layer of security and compliance to the initiative.
To date, more than 4,000 expatriates have been deported as part of these extensive operations. The government has emphasized that these efforts will continue as part of its commitment to addressing undocumented immigration.
The ministry encourages all foreign workers to participate in the campaign to ensure that their status is properly documented and to comply with the country’s legal requirements.
