The Ministry of Homeland Security has set a March 15 deadline for employers to update the biometric data of foreign nationals working in the greater Male’ region. The directive applies to workers in Male’ City, Hulhumale’, Vilimale’, as well as K. Thilafushi and K. Gulhifalhu.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the ministry urged employers to collaborate with its Department of Foreign Labor to ensure that expatriate employees are registered in the system. Failure to meet the deadline will result in suspension from the Xpat system, which is used for managing foreign workers in the Maldives.
‘Operation Kurangi’ Expands to Greater Male’
The directive is part of ‘Operation Kurangi’, a nationwide initiative launched on May 2, 2024, to collect biometric data of migrant workers. The operation initially began in K. Himmafushi and was later expanded to the greater Male’ region on January 18.
A joint operations center for the initiative has been set up at the National Center for Information Technology (NCIT). Employers and workers can visit the center for biometric registration from 9:00 am to 10:00 pm, except on Fridays.
Over 25,000 Workers Registered
Since its launch, ‘Operation Kurangi’ has collected the biometric data of over 25,000 migrant workers. The Homeland Security Ministry has advised employers seeking further details to contact them via phone at 7690228 or email at operation.kurangi@mohst.gov.mv.
The initiative is part of broader efforts to regulate foreign labor and enhance worker documentation in the Maldives.
