Gov’t Suspends Work Permits for Bangladeshi Workers Amid Human Trafficking Concerns

The Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology said the government restricted regulations regarding the arrival of foreign workers from Bangladesh upon human trafficking suspicions.

Mihaaru News reported that the ministry responded to an inquiry made under the Right to Information (RTI) Act. The ministry stated that from November 7, 2023, to January 30 of this year, 75,542 foreigners entered the Maldives on work visas, including 17,039 Bangladeshi nationals.

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Under the Employment Act, the Maldives can bring in up to 100,000 workers from a single country. However, the previous government had halted the bringing in Bangladeshi workers, citing exceeding the country’s labour quota.

After a four-year hiatus, the current government resumed issuing quotas for Bangladeshi workers in December 2023.

Mihaaru News reported that the ministry approved a total of 14,689 work permits for 3,174 non-professional workers from Bangladesh. However, on March 30, 2024, the ministry suspended further approvals for Bangladesh after an influx of parties sought to bring in a large number of workers, some of whom were suspected of human trafficking.

Following this, the government allowed the bringing in Bangladeshi workers for government projects from June 29, 2024, but imposed restrictions on private parties. The ministry clarified that private applicants who have paid the required fees and are not blacklisted can apply for up to 10 work permits.

As of January 30, 2025, the ministry had approved 2,350 work permits for 510 employers, both official and private entities, who had made the necessary deposit payments and received the permits, according to Mihaaru News.