Gov’t to Enforce Strict Penalties to Curb Expatriate Worker Exploitation

The government is set to enforce strict measures against individuals and entities involved in the exploitation of foreign workers.

This initiative forms part of a wider government effort to address the issue of undocumented foreign workers in the Maldives through a comprehensive three-phase strategy developed in coordination with relevant agencies.

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The Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology has identified a growing problem in which large sums are collected from foreign workers who are subsequently brought to the Maldives and abandoned, often without proper documentation. 

This practice frequently contributes to the undocumented immigrant population, facilitates human trafficking, and undermines regulatory control as details of these individuals are not properly registered upon entry.

Under the new framework, individuals found exploiting foreign workers will face immediate action. Employers who fail to pay salaries, assign workers to jobs not specified in their permits, neglect basic legal and regulatory obligations, or otherwise exploit foreign employees will be liable for a fine of MVR 50,000 under the Employment Act. More serious violations under Article 65 of the Employment Act will incur a fine of MVR 100,000.

The urgency of these measures is highlighted by the rising number of undocumented immigrants who have not paid work permit fees, visa charges, and other state dues. These individuals are reportedly engaging in significant unrecorded economic activity and generating growing social and health concerns within the community.

To address the situation, the government has begun collecting data on all foreign workers and is actively working to integrate them into the official expatriate system. Employers are now required to settle outstanding fees for their foreign employees, with non-compliant entities facing suspension from the expatriate portal. A one-year grace period has been granted for the payment of accumulated fees, signalling a determined effort to regularise the foreign workforce and uphold the rule of law.