Foreign healthcare workers face significant challenges following changes to their visa categories; MHPU sends formal letter to Minister Ihusaan

The Maldives Health Professionals Union (MHPU) has expressed concern over the erosion of rights for expatriate healthcare workers in the Maldives, following recent changes to their designated occupational categories.

In response to this matter, the union has sent a formal letter to the Minister of Homeland Security, Labour and Technology Ali Ihusaan.

In a letter, the Maldives Health Professionals Union (MHPU) highlighted that recent changes to the Expat System’s occupation categorization have resulted in several specialized healthcare roles—including sub-specialist doctors, laboratory technologists, and medical imaging technicians—being reclassified from "professional" to "non-professional" status. The union noted that this downgrade is creating significant obstacles for these healthcare workers, particularly in securing dependent visas for their families and accessing other essential benefits.

MHPU stated that these healthcare positions are regulated under the Health Professionals Act, requiring specific levels of education and training, as well as mandatory registration with the relevant professional councils. The union further asserted that categorizing such skilled practitioners as "non-professional" is an injustice to the workforce.

MHPU has highlighted growing concerns among long-serving expatriate healthcare professionals regarding these changes. According to the union, several of these professionals have children enrolled in local schools whose dependent visas are set to expire early next month, leaving families in a state of significant distress.

MHPU has highlighted that the forced departure of families from the country will have a detrimental impact on the healthcare system. The union noted that since the Maldivian healthcare system relies heavily on expatriate medical professionals, such measures could create significant obstacles in retaining skilled workers, leading to numerous challenges in the delivery of healthcare services.

Consequently, MHPU has requested the Ministry to expedite a review of this matter and reclassify technical positions within the healthcare sector as "professional" roles. Furthermore, the union urged the Ministry of Health and other relevant authorities to collaborate in safeguarding the professional status of healthcare experts.

Expressing its readiness to consult with and assist the government in finding a fair and adequate resolution to this issue, the MHPU has also requested the Minister's urgent attention to the matter.