Amendment seeks to delist foreign workers as security threat
MTUC had proposed to delete a provision in the Employment Act that links expatriates with national security.
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By
Fathmath Ahmed Shareef
The Maldives Trade Union Congress (MTUC) has proposed an amendment to the Employment Act to remove the description of the increase in foreign workers as a threat to national security.
Kulhudhuffushi North MP Mohamed Dawood submitted a proposal to the Parliament on behalf of the government to amend the rules laid down in the Employment Act regarding the employment of expatriates in the Maldives.
The Employment Act Amendment Bill, which he introduced on 23rd last month, is being considered by the 241 Committee on Security Services.
The MTUC, which advocates for workers' rights, proposed amendments to the bill on Thursday. The association has proposed three amendments to Article 65 of the bill. The article describes the rules for determining the number and areas of foreigners that can be brought to Maldives.
According to the existing Article 65 of the Employment Bill, the numbers of foreigners should be determined on the advice of the Cabinet after an assessment of the impact on the country's labour market. Certain factors must be taken into account in determining the amount.
Article 65(e)(4) of the Employment Bill states:
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The extent to which the inclusion of migrant workers in a particular sector or the increase in the number of workers can affect domestic and national security should be examined.
The MTUC had proposed to delete this provision in the amendment. The association has not yet commented on the matter.
The other two amendments proposed by MTUC are:
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To include quota standards for key industries in the bill; at least 50% of the tourism sector should be Maldivian
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The bill should include publishing details of the foreign quota four times a year; the number of quotas and the amount of quotas allocated should be made public
