Forty-nine foreign workers employed by Jaah Investments (formerly JAUSA Investments Pvt Ltd) has filed their case with the Employment Tribunal over unpaid salaries.
The Public Interest Law Centre (PILC) filed a case at the tribunal on behalf of the migrant workers, as no government agency had listened to their calls for help or taken any action.
The foreign workers were employed to develop buildings in Hulhumalé. Last month, the employees protested in Hulhumalé alleging they were brought to Maldives by these companies and made to work without pay for four to five months. The public protests were held after raising the issue of unpaid wages with both the police and Labour Relations Authority.
The Human Rights Commission of Maldives did not take any visible action after the employees protested, fighting for the alleged violation of their human rights and the plight of their families abroad.
A PILC official said it was a matter of concern that the rights of a group of people were being violated in the country and that no action was taken by any agency on this matter. They said the issue was submitted to the tribunal seeking the rights of 49 foreigners.
"Even though we have submitted the case, we will still be working to reach an understanding through discussion," the PILC official said.
Additionally, the migrant workers also complained about discrimination by the companies against migrant workers depending on which country they are from.
According to the company, the delay in the payment of salaries to some of their employees was due to financial constraints. Once the matter is sorted out, they will be paid their salaries, the company said.
When the issue of non-payment of salaries was taken up by the migrant workers to the Labour Relations Authority, there was not much done by the agency either.
In the letter to the complainant, it was stated that the efforts to resolve the issue could not progress as Jaah Investments had not cooperated. The letter stated that the company did not even send contracts to the LRA despite seeking contracts from employees over non-payment of salaries.
As a solution to the petitioner, the LRA has suggested that it proceed with the tribunal.
According to the migrant workers, they came to the Maldives on the pretext that the company would be good to its employees and would pay them well. They had given up the money they had saved and come to work in the Maldives because they were promised a monthly salary of USD 350 (MVR5,397).
However, after they reached Maldives, the salary was reduced to MVR 4,000 per month.
Another concern of the workers is that the company has held on to the passports of the workers as well.
Similar cases of human trafficking have taken place in the country in the past. There have been instances of employees being made to work without pay, placed in places where unfit for accommodation, and workplace violence as well. As the migrant population grows, such issues and other social issues have been brought to light.
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