A regional workshop in Hulhumalé has placed renewed attention on the need for stronger data collection and cross-border cooperation in addressing trafficking in persons and the smuggling of migrants across South Asia.
The Ministry of Homeland Security, Labour and Technology, in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, commenced the Regional Workshop on Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants Data Collection for South Asia at Water’s Edge, Hulhumalé.
State Minister Dr Abdulla Phairoosch participated in the opening session, where he highlighted the importance of regional cooperation and evidence-based approaches in efforts to combat trafficking in persons and migrant smuggling.
The workshop brings together regional stakeholders at a time when trafficking and migrant smuggling remain complex transnational challenges, often requiring coordinated policy responses, stronger institutional capacity and improved data systems.
For the Maldives, the discussions are also relevant to wider efforts to strengthen labour governance and migration management, particularly as the country continues to depend heavily on foreign workers across several sectors of the economy. Reliable data is central to identifying trends, improving enforcement and supporting victim-centred responses.
The regional focus of the workshop reflects the cross-border nature of trafficking and migrant smuggling, where gaps in information sharing and data collection can limit the ability of authorities to detect networks, protect vulnerable groups and develop targeted interventions.
