Maldives publicises employers owing fees for expatriate workers

Homeland ministry on Wednesday released the details of more than 1,000 employers who have not paid fees and penalties to the state in connection with the permits issued to foreign workers.

The ministry announced earlier last month that it would give employers two weeks to pay the outstanding amount for permits issued to foreigners and disclose the names of those who have not paid the amount within that period.

The ministry has issued a list of companies and individuals who have not paid more than MVR 100,000 to the state.

The list, which includes the name and number of the person who employed the foreigners, the amount of work permit fees, quota fees and cancellation fees payable and the total amount of fees payable to the state, contains the names of 1,026 persons.

Futson International tops the list, ordered by the amount of money owed to the state. The company owes the state close to MVR 27 million.

Advance Go Construction and Brown Builders, which are second and third on the list, also owe more than MVR 14 million each.

Hotels and Resort Construction, which is fourth on the list, is owned by President Mohamed Muizzu's advisor Mohamed Ali Janah and his daughter and former MMPRC chairperson Nurain Janah. According to the ministry's list, the company owes the state more than MVR 12 million.

At the top of the list are well-known resort companies and construction companies. They include Sun Construction and Engineering, which is ranked 30th on the list.

Also noteworthy:

Earlier last month, the homeland ministry ordered employers to pay outstanding fees within two weeks for permits issued to foreigners. According to the ministry's announcement, a large number of people have not paid the fees and penalties due under the Employment Act and the Foreigners Employment in Maldives regulations. They include:

The ministry said at the time that those who have not paid the fees and penalties by the deadline:

The homeland ministry is reviewing the rules on bringing foreign workers to Maldives. The ministry is also working to identify all foreign workers and deport those who are living illegally.