Fayyaz claims govt revived quota and work permit black market
Shammaan had revealed information about the administration and suggested that his imprisonment was linked to those disclosures.
Former Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Chairperson Fayyaz Ismail has alleged that the black market trade in foreign labour quotas and work permits, which he said was halted during the previous administration, has resumed under the current government.
Fayyaz made the remarks on Wednesday in response to allegations made by former Controller General of Immigration Mohamed Shammaan Waheed, who was sentenced to 25 years in prison on Tuesday after being convicted of charges including extortion, abuse of official authority and money laundering.
Shortly before his sentencing, Shammaan published a statement on social media alleging that Minister of Homeland Security and Technology Ahmed Ali Ihusaan had profited from the issuance of foreign labour quotas and work permits. He claimed that he had raised the matter with President Dr Mohamed Muizzu.
Shammaan also alleged that Minister Ihusaan and Attorney General Ahmed Usham were involved in corruption related to the outsourcing of the Maldives Border Control System. He further claimed that the President had failed to act on the matter.
Responding to the allegations in a post on X, Fayyaz said Shammaan had revealed information about the administration and suggested that his imprisonment was linked to those disclosures.
"The black market for quotas, which was halted during the MDP government, was restarted by this administration," Fayyaz said.
He further alleged that the Maldives Border Control System had been transferred to a Malaysian company through a deal involving large sums of money and claimed that senior government officials were involved.
Shammaan was first arrested in March 2025 on allegations that he had used his official position to obtain money from expatriate workers. He was released from custody in December before later facing trial.
Throughout the proceedings, Shammaan maintained that the case against him was politically motivated. He also alleged that Minister Ihusaan had ordered the release of the expatriate worker at the centre of the extortion case.
The government has denied all allegations made by Shammaan.
No evidence supporting the allegations against government officials has been publicly presented, and no criminal charges have been filed in relation to the claims.
