Immigration to pursue action against those employing foreigners over local artists
It is illegal for foreign artists to be employed over local artists in the Maldives under the "Foreign Employees Act"
Local artists have raised concern that their livelihoods are at risk due to illegal employment of foreigners in Maldives
Maldives Immigration have revealed that they will be pursuing action against those illegally employing foreigners by disregarding local artists and hindering their employment.
Immigration confirmed that they had been getting multiple complaints of foreigners entering the Maldives under various permits to work illegally in the Maldives. They further highlighted that the issue had been rampant in the tourism sector, with many foreigners being employed over local talents as photographers and musicians in resorts.
Maldives Immigration further added that they had been reviewing such complaints, and that 60 notices had been issued thus far to repatriate foreigners working illegally in the Maldives. They authority also noted that those hailing from countries that had opened international borders had been repatriated following Immigration instructions to do so,
Despite this, Immigration admitted that some employers were still having foreigners work illegally in the Maldives outside of permits issued as photographers and artists. Maldives Immigration also stressed that this was causing great losses to local talents by reducing opportunities for employment in fields they have specialized in.
Immigration have affirmed that they will be seeking strict action against businesses and entities who were illegally employing foreigners in the Maldives. They have also called for employers to cease obstructing avenues for employment and career development for local talents, and have warned to halt illegal employment of foreigners across sectors in the Maldives.
The Musicians' Union of Maldives (MUM) recently called for action against the illegal employment of foreign artists as resident musicians at resorts, while many local artists remain out of job since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic. The MUM expressed disappointment that while their concerns over the years had been heard by authorities, no action had been taken that could protect the rights and job security of local artists. The Musicians' Union of Maldives stressed that action is needed more than ever as local artists and talents face the economic downturn caused by Covid-19.
