Govt. to crackdown on migrant-run unlicensed businesses

The government has plans to expand efforts to stop migrants from engaging in unlicensed business acitivities, says Economic Minister Mohamed Saeed.

He made the remark at the ‘Ahaa’ public forum on Thursday night.

In response to a question from an attendee, Saeed said migrants are not permitted to get involved in running small businesses.

He said that the Economic Ministry, Homeland Security Ministry and Police Service held a meeting on Wednesday to discuss stopping such businesses.

“I told the police that we will take action once they identify migrant-run businesses, informs us of unlicensed businesses,” he said.

Saeed said that the law requires for the compilation of a registry of migrant workers, and that he has asked the Local Governance Ministry to compile registry of migrant workers in all residential islands.

“Once law enforcement agencies provide this information to us, we will not hesitate to take action,” he said.

Saeed said that such businesses can be stopped through the collaborative effort of law enforcement agencies, government ministries, and local councils.