Cabinet limits foreign workers to 1 SIM card each

The Cabinet has decided to restrict the issuance of mobile SIM cards to unskilled foreign workers, limiting registrations to one SIM card per person.

The decision was made during a Cabinet meeting held on Sunday and was announced by the President's Office on Tuesday night.

According to the President's Office, the measure forms part of efforts to strengthen SIM card registration procedures and improve oversight of mobile phone services used by foreign workers in the Maldives.

Under the new policy, unskilled foreign workers will be permitted to hold only one registered SIM card.

The Cabinet also decided that replacement SIM cards for lost or damaged cards will only be issued after the matter has been reported to the police and the relevant procedures have been completed.

The government said the decision was taken in response to concerns regarding the misuse of phone numbers registered under the names of foreign workers.

Authorities have previously reported cases in which such numbers were used in scams and other unlawful activities.

Under existing regulations, foreign nationals are currently allowed to register up to three mobile numbers, while Maldivian citizens may register up to ten numbers.

The Cabinet's decision will reduce the number of SIM cards available for registration by unskilled foreign workers and introduce additional requirements for obtaining replacements.

The move follows a separate Cabinet decision aimed at addressing the use of mobile phones and SIM cards within prisons.

The President's Office announced that legal and administrative action would be taken against individuals whose names are linked to SIM cards found to have been smuggled into correctional facilities.

Further details on the implementation of the new SIM card registration rules are expected to be released by the relevant authorities.