The Maldivian government has introduced a proposed amendment to the Employment Act designed to protect the rights of expatriate workers. This amendment includes provisions to impose a fine of MVR 50,000 on employers who are negligent towards expatriate workers and outlines specific instances of such negligence.
Under the proposed amendment, if an employer neglects their responsibilities toward an expatriate worker after bringing them to the Maldives, authorities are required to take action. The bill mandates that the names of negligent employers be publicized, they will be fined MVR 50,000, and their permits to bring in expatriate workers will be suspended for a designated period.
The amendment specifies four particular instances of negligence:
- Failure to pay salaries.
- Failure to fulfill basic duties as defined by regulations under the law.
- Exploitation when bringing in expatriates or forcing them to engage in unlawful activities.
- Assigning expatriates to jobs different from those they were brought in for.
Additionally, the bill grants agencies the authority to inspect illegal establishments without prior notice, seek information from expatriate workers, and take other necessary actions. It also sets guidelines for issuing quotas and work permits for expatriate workers.
This legislative move follows increased efforts by Maldives Immigration, in collaboration with the police, to identify and address illegal employment practices. In the past two months, approximately 200 expatriates working or living illegally in the Maldives have been detained and listed for deportation. Over the past eight months, more than 2,000 expatriates have been deported as part of this crackdown.
The proposed amendment is part of a broader initiative to ensure fair treatment for expatriate workers and hold employers accountable for their responsibilities.
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