The government will not allow the employment of foreigners to positions locals apply for, without giving them the opportunity for employment, says President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

Speaking at the Job Center inauguration ceremony held in R. Alifushi on Wednesday night, the president stated that the government aims to reduce job availability enough that foreigners need not be brought into fill the vacancies. He noticed the success in reducing foreign workers in the country over the past years.

Further, he also revealed plans to establish TVET centres nationwide. The first of these centers will be established in Alifushi.

Stating that there are many among the youth community whom are actively seeking jobs in the country, Solih stated that the administration aims to provide these jobs, which includes a plan to keep a employment desk in all islands.

When the plan is established, both the employer and the person seeking employment must register in the job center and they will be shortlisted and awarded the job.

The president added that there seems to be a gap between job application and job provision, and that he hopes that the Job Center will close this gap.

Speaking at the ceremony the president also said that the current administration aims to decrease the number of foreigners brought into the Maldives for employment. He cited that in 2018, 56,000 work permits were released with 51,000 people coming into the country for work, this amount has since been reduced this ongoing year. 8,500 work permits have been released this year and this is a decrease compared to the previous years, which the president provided as proof that results are being observed.

Noting that preparation for employment is essential, the president said that 213 persons were allowed this opportunity. He stressed that the government will find jobs for those seeking them and that a training program of 2,400 participants shall begin soon. Moreover, he stated that MVR 2,500 is currently being given as pocket money. The president highlights that all these efforts are being made to ensure that the youth are useful members of society that can be utilized for the community’s growth.

He also stated that the government will work to inspect sectors that need workers and train them, hoping that with the efforts being put in, youths can attain the jobs they search for.

In addition to the initiation of the job center in Alifushi, a mobile application was launched at the ceremony as well. Using this application, users can apply to job opportunities, update their CVs and be notified when they are shortlisted for an interview.

The ceremony also saw the signing of an agreement between the Ministry of Economic Development and Alifushi council regarding the job center.

The job center in Alifushi is the first out of the job centers in islands that are being opened in accordance to the national job center program commenced in April in Malé City. The main purpose of these centers is to bring job providers and job seekers to one place and to ensure that all the necessary steps between the application and the selection process can be done in one place. Other services provided by the ministry of economic development can also be provided with the establishment of more job centers in the islands.