President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has stated that Operation Kurangi is aimed at protecting the rights of migrant workers living in the Maldives.

Responding to questions during Monday’s press conference, the President said the current Administration has made significant progress in addressing the issue of illegal migrant workers compared to previous governments.

He noted that the Government has improved data collection on foreign nationals in the country, with registered information coverage increasing from 13 per cent to 98 per cent over the past two and a half years.

President Dr Muizzu stressed that Operation Kurangi is not intended to punish foreign workers, but rather to ensure their rights can be protected through proper documentation and monitoring. He said the Government must know who foreign workers are and where they live in order to safeguard their rights and improve oversight.

The President also stated that efforts are underway to facilitate legal pathways for foreign workers seeking employment in the Maldives, while deportation procedures continue for individuals found to be residing illegally in the country.

Describing undocumented immigration as one of the country’s major challenges, President Dr Muizzu said the Government is working on a comprehensive solution to address the issue.