The government on Wednesday warned employers that all services through the online expat system will be suspended if the relevant fees are not paid on time.
According to an announcement by the Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology, new work site registration, new quota pool and new work permits will not be issued to employers who do not pay the expatriate related fees regularly.
However, those who are making regular payments under previously signed settlement agreements will be exempt from this measure, the Ministry said.
In addition to deporting undocumented immigrants, the government is also providing the opportunity for undocumented expatriate workers to legalise.
The government has also launched a nationwide initiative to collect biometric data of all expatriate workers amid a major effort to tackle the longstanding issue of undocumented immigrants residing in the island nation.
Pending fees when this Administration took office was at a staggering USD 116.72 million, the Minister of Homeland Security and Technology, Ali Ihusaan had said earlier. Of this amount, the administration has successfully reclaimed approximately USD 71.34 million, thereby reducing the outstanding balance to around USD 38.77 million, he had said.
The government had offered easy payment plans for employers with less than USD6,485 in unpaid expat fees.
There are more than 50,000 individuals and companies employing foreigners in the Maldives. Out of these, 90 percent, or more than 45,000, do not pay fees regularly, the Ministry had revealed earlier.