Gasim Criticises Proposed Increase in Migrant Worker Fees

Jumhooree Party (JP) leader and Member of Parliament (MP) Gasim Ibrahim has opposed the government’s proposed amendments to increase visa and work permit fees for migrant workers, arguing that the changes would place an undue burden on businesses and potentially lead to higher prices for consumers.

Currently, work permit fees stand at MVR 350 per month, with a quota fee of MVR 2,000. The proposed amendments would allow the government to modify these fees every three years, with the possibility of increasing the work permit fee to MVR 455 and the quota fee to MVR 2,600.

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Gasim expressed concern that granting the government the authority to adjust these fees regularly would effectively hand them a ‘chequebook,’ enabling fee hikes that could further strain businesses already facing economic challenges. He warned that such increases could lead to price hikes and public discontent, potentially resulting in calls for the president’s removal.

Despite Gasim’s objections, Hithadhoo Medhu MP Ahmed Azaan of the People’s National Congress (PNC) defended the proposed changes, stating that the government had conducted thorough research before suggesting the amendments.

The debate over the proposed fee changes became heated during a recent committee meeting, leading Gasim, who has also opposed previous economic measures such as the minimum wage hike, to walk out in protest. His actions were supported by MP Nazim, leader of the Maldives National Party (MNP).