MP Saudhulla Hilmy Opposes “High” Fines for Employer Negligence of Migrant Workers
Ruling Party MP Saudhulla Hilmy, a board member of the construction company Swift Engineering, voiced his opposition today against provisions in a proposed bill that would impose fines of up to MVR 50,000 on employers for failing to pay their migrant workers.
The provisions are part of amendments to the Employment Act, submitted to parliament by Kulhudhuffushi North MP Mohamed Dawood. These amendments include fines for employers who neglect their responsibilities towards foreign workers, particularly in terms of salary payment and provision of basic services.
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Addressing parliament, Saudhulla argued that the fines are excessively high.
“50,000 is no small amount. If you have five people.. uh, a problem with five people, that’s MVR 250,000. We have to think about this in the committee stage.” he stated.
Swift Engineering Pvt Ltd, where Saudhulla holds a board position, has secured several government contracts for constructing schools and health centres in atolls. The company is also listed among those with significant unpaid dues to the government, including MVR 1.1 million in migrant worker quota fees and work permit fees, as revealed by the Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology last week.
Saudhulla further claimed that deporting migrant workers who “flee” from their employers serves as an incentive rather than a punishment.
He suggested that migrant workers, particularly those earning around USD 350, might escape to earn significantly higher wages on fishing boats.
“They can live here as long as they want, approach the authorities, and then get deported. They can move to Dubai, Qatar, or Saudi Arabia the next day. What do they lose?” he remarked.
Recent research has shown that migrant workers, especially Bangladeshi labourers in the construction sector, suffer exploitation by employers, leading many to flee and become undocumented.
Saudhulla’s stance is part of a broader trend of MPs representing business interests in parliament. Earlier this month, MP Gasim argued at the public accounts committee that his company, Horizon Fisheries, should receive government subsidies and loans.
