The government has decided to restrict quotas for foreigners in certain sectors.
Amendments to the Foreign Employment Regulations outline which jobs will be restricted and when. Restrictions that will be applied two years after the regulations come into effect include prohibitions on employing foreigners as hairdressers, beauticians, babysitters, personal trainers, electricians, guest relations officers, tour guides, accountants, and imams.
Restrictions that will come into effect within three years include employing foreigners as divers, nurses, building inspectors, surveyors, site supervisors, and pilots.
Within four years, foreigners will no longer be eligible for positions in electrical engineering and dive instructor positions. In the fifth year, quotas will not be issued to recruit foreigners as Housekeeping Manager, Human Resource Manager, and Front Office Manager positions. Foreigners cannot work as primary and secondary teachers.
It is a key policy of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu to exclusively reserve certain job sectors for Maldivians, particularly in arts, tourism, and areas where Maldivians are highly qualified.