Minister of Economic Development Fayyaz Ismail has announced a ban on importing Bangladeshi labourers to Maldives for a period of one year starting from September 18.
Speaking at a press conference held to brief about the efforts in solving the issue of undocumented expatriates, Minister Fayyaz explained the decision was made by the task force established to solve the issue.
Minister Fayyaz is the chairman of taskforce and other members of the task force include the Minister of Defence, Minister of Home Affairs, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Attorney General, Commissioner of Police, Controller of Immigration and representatives from Labour Relation Authority and Maldives Tourism Association.
Highlighting the efforts of the government, the economic minister explained that one of the decisions is to put a ban on importing unskilled workers for a period of one year. He further explained that quota for development projects will only be issued after the project documents is registered in court. He also expressed plans to charge a quota fee starting from 2020 and increase deposits based on quota ratio.
The administration has taken urgent decisions after two Bangladeshis living luxurious lives were deported over accusations of illegal recruitment.