Maldives Immigration has detained 38 Indian and 17 Bangladeshi expatriate workers who protested near the Presidential Palace in Malé on Saturday, demanding unpaid wages from their employers. The group, primarily construction laborers, alleged months of non-payment.

The protest began near the perimeter of the Presidential Palace but was quickly dispersed by Maldives Police, who handed the protesters over to Immigration authorities for further action.

The incident follows a violent altercation between Indian expatriates at Artificial Beach on Friday, which left several bystanders, including a child, injured. Although the Immigration Controller had vowed action after the beach fight, it remains unclear if the two events are connected.

Protests by expatriate workers over unpaid wages are not new in the Maldives, with many employers reportedly failing to pay on time or providing harsh living conditions. The incident highlights ongoing labor issues in the country’s construction and service industries.

Maldives Immigration has yet to release a statement on the actions to be taken against the protesters.