The Maldives has seen a significant 33 per cent rise in the number of migrant workers and employers paying required fees, according to the Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology. 

As of the latest figures, over 55.4 per cent of expatriates and companies are now meeting their obligations, a major improvement from just 22 per cent at the end of 2023.

This progress follows recent reforms and stricter enforcement measures implemented by the Government. Authorities have been focused on addressing socio-economic issues linked to foreign workers.

The Government has also taken steps to penalise non-compliance. Companies and employers that do not pay the required fees are now barred from registering new sites, creating additional work permits, or expanding their quotas for migrant workers. Additionally, services provided through the Xpat portal are suspended for those who fail to meet payment requirements. Despite these improvements, the Government still faces a large backlog of unpaid fees. So far, MVR 1.1 billion has been collected, but MVR 900 million remains outstanding. 

In parallel, the Government is working on addressing the issue of illegal immigration, with the project underway in phases. The first phase focuses on collecting data on migrant workers, while the second phase aims to streamline the registration and payment system, improving overall efficiency.

The focus on improving migrant worker fee compliance is aimed at addressing key labour market challenges and ensuring full adherence to regulations by both migrant workers and employers. These strides are viewed as a crucial step in creating a more sustainable and well-regulated labour market in the Maldives.