Opposition leader Fayyaz Ismail has raised concerns in response to media reports about the Mohamed Muizzu administration’s plan to mandate employers of migrant workers use proposed dormitories to be developed by a Malaysian company.
Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Chairperson Ismail’s remarks on this matter came in response to reports from Malaysian media indicating that the Muizzu administration has granted concessions and exclusive development rights to a Malaysian company for the National Integrated Migrant Workers Dormitory (NiMWD).
According to these media reports, the dormitories will be constructed by Atilze Digital Sdn. Bhd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Internet of Things (IoT) solutions provider G3 Global Bhd. The Maldives Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology has awarded Atilze Digital exclusive rights to develop and operate these dorms. Homeland Security Minister Ali Ihusaan confirmed this with the local media outlet Adhadhu.
Expressing concern over the matter, Ismail said, “…it is of significant concern in terms of the mandatory requirement for Employers to use these facilities. There is no issue in a foreign party providing such services without the mandatory requirement.”
The project will be executed through a public-private partnership model, with 100 percent private financing and revenue sharing between the Maldives government and G3 Global, according to Malaysian media. The concession period for the project is 30 years, with an automatic extension of an additional 30 years.
Minister Ihusaan explained that the project originated from an unsolicited proposal by Atilze Digital. One condition was that the Maldives government grant Atilze Digital exclusive rights to develop and operate all migrant worker dormitories in the country and make it mandatory by regulation for employers to use these facilities.
“They proposed to develop dormitories. It is also a policy of this government. We want migrant workers, especially those in the unskilled category, to be provided separate accommodations,” Ihusaan told Adhadhu.
He added that the Muizzu administration wants to end “[unskilled migrant workers] roaming around everywhere, living in accommodations that don’t meet the standards set by relevant laws and regulations.”
In his tweet, MDP chairperson Ismail, who previously served as the economic minister, highlighted that local private and state-owned companies could also develop migrant worker dormitories. He cautioned that future governments might face challenges due to this contract.
“Sadly any future government will not have any other choice but to terminate such a damaging contract and paving way for huge damages,” he warned, calling on the Muizzu administration to “clear this to the public and if this is something ongoing immediately suspend and rethink on this.”
According to Malaysian media, the project is expected to generate revenue through fees charged to employers. Initially, employers will have to pay US$100 per migrant worker monthly, increasing to US$120 per month, with US$5 shared with the Maldives government.