Maldives Amends Regulations To Prohibit Foreign Workers In Key Sectors
Homeland Security Ministry restricts recruitment of foreign professionals across multiple sectors | Photo: IGMH
The Ministry of Homeland Security has amended the Employment of Foreigners in Maldives Regulations to prohibit the recruitment of foreign workers in several professions, including nurses, pilots, imams, taxi drivers, aircraft co-pilots, sea captains, photographers, and entertainers.
The amendment, announced on Sunday, also sets out a phased timeline to abolish existing quotas for foreign workers in other occupations. Within two years, quotas will be removed for hairdressers, beauticians, childminders, personal trainers, electricians, English-speaking guest relations officers, tour guides, accountants, and imams.
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A three-year timeline has been established for divers, nurses, building inspectors, surveyors, site supervisors, pilots, and photographers. Engineers and dive instructors will be affected within four years, while housekeeping managers, human resource managers, front office managers, and primary and secondary school teachers will be phased out over five years.
Officials have acknowledged that a significant number of foreigners are currently employed in these roles, with particularly high numbers working as hairdressers, beauticians, nurses, and teachers.
The ministry has stated that the regulatory changes form part of a broader effort to regularise foreign employment and curb illegal expatriate activity. Immigration authorities are continuing enforcement operations, including raids to identify foreigners working without valid permits and to take action against employers who hire irregular workers.
The government has reiterated its commitment to resolving the issue of illegal immigrants within the first three years of its term, in line with its wider immigration enforcement agenda.
