Govt sets March 15 as deadline for expat biometric data in Male region
According to the ministry, biometric data for over 18,000 foreign workers has already been collected
Home ministry on Sunday instructed employers to update the biometric data of foreign workers in the Male region by March 15.
In an announcement, the ministry stated that the process of updating photographs and fingerprints of all expatriates working in Male, Hulhumale, Vilimale, Thilafushi, and Gulhifalhu must be completed before the deadline.
Employers who fail to comply with the directive in coordination with the ministry’s foreign labour department will be suspended from the Expat system, and related services will be halted.
Biometric data collection for foreign workers in the Malé area will be carried out at the designated operation centre at NCIT. This initiative is part of Operation Kurangi, which was launched in April last year. The service will be available daily from 9 am to 10 pm, except on Sundays.
According to the ministry, biometric data for over 18,000 foreign workers has already been collected under Operation Kurangi, which aims to address issues related to foreign labor management.
Operation Kurangi is being implemented in three phases:
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1-
Biometric data collection at council offices to establish a primary register of foreign workers.
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Identifying undocumented individuals, issuing biometric identification, and providing photo IDs.
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3-
Verifying individuals without records in the government system, coordinating with embassies for documentation, and arranging deportation if necessary.
The government’s objective is to establish a structured system for monitoring and regulating foreign workers, ensuring compliance with national labor laws.
