Govt to fine employers for neglecting expat workers

The Ministry of Home Affairs has announced that employers who fail to meet responsibilities towards foreign workers will be fined, and no further services will be provided through the Expat system until the fines are paid.

In a statement issued Thursday, the ministry said the measures, under the Employment Act, will take effect from Monday.

According to the announcement, employers who neglect a foreign worker after bringing them to the Maldives will be fined MVR 50,000. In other cases, a fine not exceeding MVR 100,000 may be imposed.

The ministry further stated that all services through the Expat system will remain suspended for employers until outstanding fines are settled.

The ministry noted that more than 100,000 foreigners have been identified through its operation against illegal immigrants. Deportations of undocumented migrants have been ongoing since May.

At a meeting with foreign employers last year, Home Minister Ali Ihsan said the issue of illegal immigration often begins with Maldivian employers who bring in workers unlawfully. He said some employers charge large amounts of money from foreign workers before abandoning them, leaving them to seek irregular means of income to recover their losses.

The minister added that addressing the role of employers is central to tackling illegal immigration and called for cooperation in resolving the issue.