Public Interest Law Centre (PILC), on Thursday, filed a request at the Human Rights Commission of Maldives (HRCM) to investigate into the decision to bar the repatriation of unpaid employees under RIX Maldives Pvt Ltd, as requested by Maldives Police Service.
RIX Maldives, a company owned by the parliamentary representative for Shaviyani Atoll's Milandhoo constituency, Ali Riza, was contracted by Seal Maldives in 2019 for the development of Bodufinolhu, Baa Atoll, as a luxury resort.
Earlier in July, 203 expatriate workers in Bodufinolhu protested over one a half years of unpaid wages and held 13 local staff from leaving the island. Police arrested 19 individuals amid the operation to de-escalate the hostage situation.
PILC, the firm providing pro bono legal assistance to the expatriate staff of RIX, previously disclosed that a claim was also filed on behalf of RIX's 198 expatriate workers at the Employment Tribunal for recompensation and arrangements for repatriation.
However, in the letter addressed to the HRCM, PILC noted that during a meeting held jointly with the Labour Relations Authority, RIX Maldives and the Ministry of Economic Affairs, authorities had negotiated with RIX to pay all undue wages and facilitate the repatriation effort through the government's repatriation programme.
Emphasizing on the workers' desire to depart the country at the earliest, PILC expressed concern over Police's decision to hold the expatriates in a facility located in Hulhumale', in order for the workers to testify after the matter is lodged at the Criminal Court.
Highlighting the possibility of drawn-out legal proceedings during the tribunal hearings, PILC touted the move as an infringement on human rights, adding that the were families of the workers were suffering as a result.
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