The Ministry of Homeland Security, Labour and Technology is working to introduce a system that will provide expedited services to parties that comply with regulations concerning foreign workers.
The Ministry said the system would enable employers and service providers to access services more quickly.
The government is undertaking several initiatives to address issues related to foreign workers in the Maldives. In addition to identifying foreign workers operating in the country, changes have also been made to the Expatriate Management System, which provides services related to foreign workers. As part of efforts to reform the overall system, the government has decided to change the procedures used to provide services to employers of foreign workers.
Speaking on PSM News’ 'Raajje Miadhu' programme, Deputy Minister of Homeland Security, Labour and Technology Ahmed Asad said the ministry receives a large number of applications through the system each day. He said a system was being developed to facilitate services for parties that pay all required fees and comply with regulations.
“To improve the quality of services, we are currently targeting the launch of a ‘Whitelisted Employees Programme’. This means streamlining the applications of those who are not blacklisted and who pay work permit fees and quota fees in accordance with regulations, so that their applications can be processed more quickly. We receive a very large number of applications every day, between 1,700 and 2,000. Some of these applications will be streamlined for whitelisted employers,” Asad said.
The Ministry currently oversees matters related to foreign workers through the Expatriate Management System. Through the system, applications for foreign worker quotas, worksite registrations and the payment of various fees are processed.
Deputy Minister of Homeland Security Ministry Ahmed Ibrahim Didi said the proposed whitelist would be based on a rating system. He said parties that comply with regulations would receive faster services based on their rating.
“The higher the rating for complying with regulations, the faster they will receive these services. Whether they apply for a work permit or to register a worksite, they will receive services. These are the changes we are bringing. At the same time, as we move forward with the whitelist, everyone will need to obtain the services they require. Once the service is provided, they will be able to receive the service within 24 hours,” Didi said.
The government has already introduced several changes to the system. Under the changes, access to the Expatriate Management System is suspended for parties that fail to pay fees required under the regulations, as well as those with outstanding fines. The government is also working to recover outstanding fines from parties that have unpaid penalties.
The Ministry said it is currently owed over USD 110 million in payments related to foreign workers, including quota fees and fines. However, the Ministry said it has recovered over USD 77 million through the work carried out during the period so far.
The Ministry is also allowing parties with significant outstanding fines to pay the amounts through instalment arrangements.