Maldives lifts ban on unskilled laborers from India and Nepal

The Maldivian government revised its earlier decision to only allow the recruitment of unskilled laborers from Bangladesh on Wednesday, allowing unskilled laborers from India and Nepal as well.

The decision was announced by Homeland Security Minister Ali Ihusan in a press briefing on Wednesday.

He added that the government would allow unskilled laborers from additional countries once they complete ongoing assessments.

“Starting today, the borders are open unskilled laborers from India and Nepal. We will also issue permission to other countries, once our assessments are done,” he said.

On Sunday, the Homeland Security Ministry announced the decision to allow the recruitment of unskilled laborers from Bangladesh, while keeping recruitment of unskilled laborers from other countries suspended.

The decision ended a ban on the recruitment of unskilled laborers from Bangladesh imposed in 2019.