MHPU calls for review after healthcare roles reclassified as non-professional

The Maldives Health Professionals Union (MHPU) has raised concerns over changes to job classifications under the government's Expat System, saying several healthcare positions have been moved from the “Professional” to “Non-Professional” category.

In a statement issued on social media on Friday, the union said the changes introduced by the Ministry of Homeland Security, Labour and Technology would result in expatriate healthcare workers losing benefits available to employees classified as professionals.

According to MHPU, positions affected by the reclassification include some sub-specialist doctors, laboratory technologists and medical imaging technicians.

The union said employees moved to the Non-Professional category could lose access to benefits including dependent visas for family members and procedures available to professionals for remitting money abroad.

MHPU said many expatriate healthcare workers have lived and worked in the Maldives for years, with some having children enrolled in schools in the country.

“However, being unable to renew dependent visas forces families to split up and send spouses and children back to their home countries. This presents a massive challenge to their livelihoods and mental well-being,” the union said.

MHPU warned that the changes could also affect the healthcare sector, which employs expatriates in a range of medical and technical positions.

The union said the reclassification could make it more difficult for healthcare providers to retain staff and could affect the continuity of health services.

“We therefore call upon the Ministry of Homeland Security, Labour and Technology to review these job classifications, taking into consideration the qualifications, skills, and responsibilities of healthcare personnel,” MHPU said.

The union also called on the ministry to consult relevant authorities and review the classifications to ensure healthcare workers are categorised according to their qualifications and responsibilities.

MHPU urged the government to address the issue before the changes affect expatriate healthcare workers and the institutions that employ them.