Dozens of expatriate workers protesting near the President’s official residence in the capital Male’ City over months of no-pay have been taken into custody.
The Maldives Police Service (MPS) said it deployed officers to the scene following reports of a protest near Muliaage, the President’s Official Residence.
The protesters who were around 55 expatriates are now in custody of the Immigration Department, MPS added. The protesting expatriates include 38 Indian nationals and 17 Bangladesh nationals, according to MPS.
The island nation, heavily reliant on expatriates, has long grappled with the issue of the exploitation of its expat population. Expatriates after months of not being paid and suffering deplorable living conditions have rallied in protest in the past.
The present government has launched special efforts to protect the rights of expatriate workers.