21 Foreign Resort Workers Detained After Protesting Deportation Over Unpaid Wages

More than 100 foreign employees working at a resort under development in Bolidhufarhu have been detained at the Immigration Detention Center after protesting against being deported, with the workers demonstrating over unpaid wages and other employee welfare issues. Police said that in connection with the demonstration, 22 foreigners were taken to the airport to be sent back to their countries, of whom 21 resisted deportation and were handed over to immigration, while one was deported without resistance. The police said the foreign employees were taken to the airport after a decision was made to terminate them from their workplace and proceed with the entire process. Maldives Immigration said that due to non-compliance with police orders, 21 foreigners were handed over by the police to immigration and that necessary procedures will be taken against them. "Due to non-compliance with police orders, 21 foreigners have been handed over to Maldives Immigration by the Maldivian Police Service. Necessary measures will be taken against these parties according to established procedures," immigration said. Transparency Maldives, an organisation advocating for human rights, said in connection with the matter that the foreign employees were taken to the airport for deportation and that the 21 foreigners who protested were detained at the detention center. Transparency said protesting to ensure rights should not be considered grounds for deportation and that protesting is a right. Under the Constitution, every person working in the country has the freedom to strike and protest, and no worker should face measures such as intimidation, detention or retaliation for exercising such rights. Transparency therefore called for the immediate cancellation of the decision to deport these foreign workers. Transparency also said that consultations are ongoing between the company employing the foreign employees detained at the detention center and immigration regarding how to handle them.