Presidential Commission on Corruption and Asset Recovery has revealed it was aware of the cases of expatriates which have recently surfaced in the Maldives.
Speaking at a press conference held at the President's Office, President of the asset recovery commission Ahmed As'ad said a request has been made to the president to make swift decisions regarding the cases of expatriates. As'ad stated it is wrong to conclude that corruption is the only issue in the cases which have surfaced.
Noting several ministries and authorities are overlooking matters related to expatriates, As'ad added some issues which had come to the attention of the commission have become a reality within about four or five months. He elaborated some issues noted by the commission include social issues, delayed or refused salary payments, human trafficking, sexual and drug abuses among others. Highlighting the issues of expatriates are rising in the Maldives, As'ad said 110,000 expatriates entered the country from 2014-2019. He said the figure is a 25% hike when compared with the population of the Maldives.
The authorities have identified about 65,000 undocumented expatriate workers in the Maldives during a programme launched by the government to regularise expatriate workers in the country. As'ad said the issue is of grave concern and needs immediate action, revealing the commission has requested the president to address the matter separately.
The number of undocumented expatriates in the Maldives has risen to alarming levels over the years. Allegations of human trafficking have been raised against several local companies and businesses for bringing in large numbers of expatriates to the country and forcing them to live in poor conditions while refusing to pay their wages or abandoning them without care.