A special system through which local councils can collect biometrics to identify undocumented expatriates residing in Maldives has been introduced last night.
A special system enabling local councils to collect biometric data from expatriates in the Maldives was introduced last night.
President Dr Mohamed Muizzu launched the 'Naares' Portal and inaugurated the second phase of Operation 'Kurangi' of the Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology at a ceremony held at Dharubaaruge, Malé City, last night.
Speaking at the ceremony, Minister of Homeland Security and Technology Ali Ihusaan said that local councils will now be able to capture fingerprints of all expatriates living in the islands using fingerprint machines issued to them. This will facilitate easier access to information on undocumented expatriates, the Minister said. He also noted that the collected data will be stored in the Ministry's central data center.
"Afterwards, councils will be able to automatically access the registry of expatriates on the island through the system," Ihusaan said.
He revealed that although local councils are legally mandated to maintain registers and manage procedures for foreigners residing on the islands, this has been a challenging task. While some councils do maintain registers of immigrants, the Minister noted that these islands typically have small expatriate populations, ranging from about 100 to 200 individuals.
"However, it would be difficult to maintain this in islands where the expatriate population numbers in the thousands. While we acknowledge this challenge, the second phase of Operation 'Kurangi' is gradually addressing it," Ihusaan said.
He further stated that this administration is committed to addressing the growing number of undocumented expatriates in the country. Phase 1 of Operation 'Kurangi' focused on formulating policies, assessing the situation in local islands, and preparing applications. The government will also provide councils with access to 'Kurangi 2,' which was developed subsequently, the Minister added.
"If a councilor takes a picture of an expatriate suspected of living in breach of the law, the application will provide information on who they are, what they do, which company brought them, and when they last paid their visa," Ihusaan said.
Minister Ihusaan said that police in islands will also be able to obtain information on an expatriate once their picture is taken and uploaded to the system.
"The first stage of implementing a permanent solution to the issue of undocumented expatriates residing in the Maldives will be completed once councils are granted this authority under Phase 2," Ihusaan said.
He said that the government has allocated a period of three years to collect information and identify expatriate workers residing in the country. He added that the second and third years will focus on integrating those identified into the legal framework.
"God willing, we are working to implement a permanent solution to the problem of expatriates violating the country's laws within three years, following the President's instructions," Ihusaan said.
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