Thirteen undocumented foreign workers have been detained by Maldives Immigration during a raid on an unsanitary food establishment in Male'.

Immigration officials conducted the operation on January 23 at Finger Print Cafe, where the workers were preparing food in unhygienic conditions that posed risks to public health.

Video footage released by Immigration showed multiple foreign nationals working in unsanitary conditions whilst preparing food for public consumption.

The operation is part of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu's Administration's broader initiative on workforce regulation. Nearly 5,000 undocumented workers have been repatriated within the Government's first year.

Immigration Watch's intelligence-led operations have targeted both visa overstayers and foreigners involved in serious criminal activities.

The Government is simultaneously implementing a biometric data collection programme for foreign residents as part of President Dr Muizzu's directive to regulate the foreign workforce.