Maldives Immigration has detained seven expatriates during a monitoring operation conducted in Malé and Hulhumalé as part of efforts to identify undocumented foreign workers.

A total of 66 expatriates were inspected during the operation carried out on 17 and 18 March under the Migration Monitoring and Compliance Programme (MMCP), with those found to be working illegally taken into custody.

The authority said similar operations are being conducted to address cases of expatriates working without proper documentation, adding that efforts are underway to repatriate individuals detained in connection with such violations.

Immigration has been intensifying inspections in recent periods as part of measures to strengthen compliance with immigration laws and regulate foreign employment in the Maldives.