Maldives Launches Complaint System for Foreign Workers

The Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology has launched a dedicated system to improve the process of filing complaints by foreign workers in the Maldives.

The Migrant Worker Resources Centre was officially inaugurated on Sunday by the Minister of Health, Abdullah Nazim Ibrahim, together with Iyori Kato, Regional Director of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM). Alongside the physical centre, an online complaints portal named “Migrant Connect” was also introduced by the Health Minister.

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At the launch event, the Minister of State for Homeland Security and Technology, Dr Abdulla Fairoosh, highlighted that all foreign workers in the Maldives should be legally protected and their rights safeguarded. However, he noted that many continue to face exploitation, excessively long working hours, unsafe conditions, and limited access to essential information.

The State Minister explained that both the new centre and the online portal are expected to play a key role in addressing these challenges and ensuring the rights of migrant workers are upheld. He further stated that the resources would also support foreigners who may currently be residing in the Maldives without proper documentation, helping them to regularise their status. In addition, the portal will offer a range of services and general information to foreign workers.

Figures from the Ministry of Higher Education, Labour and Skills Development show that foreign workers make up 43 per cent of the national workforce. As a considerable proportion of these workers reside in the Maldives, the government has been implementing measures to support them. These efforts include tackling inadequate living conditions, particularly among construction workers, and planning for the development of proper accommodation facilities in the Malé area.