Several Bangladeshi workers have been arrested by Maldives immigration officials from the local market area in Male.
Witnesses said at least 20 expatriates were taken into custody on Thursday morning.
The arrest of the Bangladeshi workers was part of an ongoing crackdown on undocumented migrant workers, Haveeru Online reported citing an immigration official.
However, Maldives immigration department did not give the exact number of the arrested expatriates.
The country's economic ministry in April declared illegal for any expatriate to work as a cashier in shops, cafés and restaurants. Immigration department had also stopped approving quotas for expatriates brought to Maldives for the purpose.