Wednesday, May 1st, 2024
On this Labor Day, May 1st, 2024, it’s crucial to recognize and appreciate the often unnoticed heroes of the Maldives – migrant workers. Despite facing many difficulties, migrant workers are essential for the Maldives’ thriving tourism industry, which is the main source of the country’s economy.
The Maldives, located in the Indian Ocean, has become a popular destination for tourists worldwide. With its beautiful landscapes and clear waters, it attracts over a million visitors every year. To keep this tourism industry going, the Maldives depends heavily on workers especially from countries like Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Nepal…
These migrant workers mostly do jobs like construction, cleaning, and hospitality. Many of them work on temporary contracts, which means they don’t have the same protections as local workers. This leaves them open to exploitation by employers who might not give them proper housing or healthcare.
One big problem for migrant workers in the Maldives is the high cost of living. Everything, like food and housing, is much more expensive than in nearby countries. So, many migrant workers struggle to afford basic needs and end up living in crowded and unclean places.
To help with these issues, the Maldives government has started making laws to protect migrant workers. For example, in 2019, they passed a law saying that employers have to pay migrant workers a fair wage and give them reasonable working hours, housing, and healthcare.
But there’s still more to do. The government needs to keep working with employers and groups in society to make sure migrant workers are treated fairly. They should make sure laws are followed and improve working conditions for these workers to keep them safe and healthy.
In short, migrant workers are crucial for the Maldives’ economy. They deserve fair treatment and the same rights as local workers. By making sure migrant workers are protected and have good working conditions, the Maldives can build a fairer and more sustainable economy that benefits everyone.
Recently, there’s been a rise in hurtful talk from some Maldivians towards Bangladeshi migrant workers. These workers work hard to support their families, even though they get paid very little and work long hours. It’s shocking to hear that 90% of all luxury resorts in the Maldives were built by Bangladeshi workers, some of whom lost their lives in workplace accidents. But instead of being thanked, some Maldivians accuse them of taking their jobs.
This isn’t true at all. Many Maldivians don’t want these jobs because they pay so little. It’s Bangladeshi workers who take these jobs because they have to. They are the real heroes of the Maldives, helping it grow and become prosperous. The same thing happens to Bangladeshi workers in the Middle East.
It’s very important to change this way of thinking and stop the hurtful talk against these hardworking people who have helped the Maldives so much. Without them, the Maldives wouldn’t be where it is today. Instead of being treated badly, they deserve our thanks and respect.
Read more about Work Visas and Work Permits in the Maldives here, and about Resort Service Charges Updates here.