46 illegal foreign workers arrested in Hulhumal

Department of Immigration and Emigration has taken 46 illegal foreign workers into custody following a raid in Hulhumalé.

Spokesperson for Immigration Department Hassan Khaleel told Sun Online that 12 out of the 46 arrested today were working as cashiers at shops in Hulhumalé.

Employing foreigners as cashiers was banned effective 1 April 2015 in a move to create more job opportunities for Maldivians.

Khaleel said that the operation was held from 8:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. today, and will resume later.

In addition to today’s arrests, Immigration Department had earlier identified and arrested 36 foreigners who had been working as cashiers, and said that they will be repatriated soon.