Minister of Homeland Security and Technology Ali Ihusan has stated last night that a program will be launched next month in the islands to gather the fingerprints and photographs of all migrant workers in the country.
This is part of the government's efforts to manage the issue of undocumented migrant workers' in the country.
Ihusan made these comments in response to a question posed to him at the 'Ahaa' Public Forum last night, where five ministers participated in a forum where members of the public could pose questions to them regarding their work.
Ihusan said that these details would be gathered and compared to the work permits that these migrant workers hold.
Preparations are now underway to commence these efforts.
Ihusan said that some of these migrants are in the country without holding valid work permits. He said that work is being done now to identify these individuals and to find out under whose management they remain in the country.
"Some do not even possess identification. Without a passport, or any other identification document. So if they come and claim to be a certain person, we do not have any way of verifying those claims," Ihusan said.
Hence, this new initiative is aimed at making a register of all migrants, both those under valid permits and others, he said.
The program is scheduled to begin on May 2nd, and the Minister said the government aims to find a solution to the issue within a period of three years.
"We will hopefully begin simultaneously in all islands in the next month or so. When we do so, we will collaborate with the Council and island offices and record the fingerprints and photos of all foreigners on the island, whether they are there legally or not," Ihusan explained.
After identifying illegal immigrants, the government intends to find a convenient way to bring them within the legal framework. He noted that some are living strictly against regulations, but that the government wishes to provide them, too, the opportunity to adapt within the legal framework. If such an individual refuses to make use of this opportunity, they will then be deported, the Minister said.
"Meaning, they are living in hiding. They don't work in any official companies. They send out money illegally. Even people who live like this will be given an opportunity to change their ways and adapt to living within the legal boundaries. If they refuse to abide by this, we will then deport them," Ihusan explained.
In the case of those who lack identification documents, they will be taken under state care. Then, the government will approach the relevant country's embassy and try to obtain a travel document or other such documentation. The government's policy is to send such persons back to their own countries.
Ihusan said that this program will be run in a number of phases, and assured that the results will be seen within three years.
The Minister further said that better arrangements are being made for the bringing in of expatriates and managing them.
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