Gov’t Proposes Removal of Bangladeshi Labourer Limit

The Minister of Homeland Security and Technology, Ali Ihusaan, announced that the government plans to heighten security measures and lift the existing limit of 100,000 Bangladeshi labourers allowed in the country. 

This proposal was revealed during a session of the 241 Committee of the parliament, which oversees security services under Article 241 of the Constitution of Maldives.

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Minister Ihusan explained that the current and future demand for labourers necessitates the removal of the limit. He was responding to a query from committee member and North Maafannu constituency MP Mohamed Nazim, who questioned the rationale behind the limit being specific to Bangladeshi labourers and whether this might be perceived as discriminatory.

Minister Ihusan emphasised that additional security measures must be implemented before the limit is lifted. “It will be easier for us to allow [this] after we bring changes to the system and ensure that [they] can be made biometrically accountable 100 percent,” he stated.

He further suggested that work permits should require endorsement from island councils to ensure better management. “Currently, the work permit issued to people who are taken to the islands is granted for the entire Maldives. Instead, a permanent solution would be for the island council to also endorse the permit issued to the individual,” he added.

The minister outlined that lifting the limit depends on two factors: amending the system, which he expects to complete within three weeks, and meeting the current limit of 100,000 Bangladeshi labourers. 

Currently, there are 90,624 Bangladeshi nationals working in the Maldives, according to the border control and expatriate system. Minister Ihusan disclosed that some employers had exploited the allowance to bring in additional Bangladeshi workers illegally, leading to the temporary closure of the borders.

The minister also mentioned that the companies involved in the unlawful entry of workers are currently under investigation.

The Maldives hosts 280,000 foreign workers, with the majority being from Bangladesh.