Transparency Maldives has expressed concern over the detainment of many expatriates in K. Bolidhuffaru by Maldives Immigration after their protest due to their salary allegedly not being paid in more than six months.
A post from Transparency on social media reads that they are concerned over the reports they received of around 21 expatriate workers being taken to the Immigration Detention Center after they protested at the Bolidhuffaru lagoon construction site which is being developed as a resort.
It further reads that detaining peaceful protesters is a violation of their fundamental rights and that this is a seriously concerning matter that may result in them taking steps to retaliate against their employers in an attempt to defend their rights.
Transparency stated that under the Maldivian Constitution, anyone employed in Maldives and all workers have the right to stop working and go on strike in order to protest, and any worker who exercises that right must not be detained or intimidated.
Requests from Transparency
- Maldives Immigration to immediately release the detained workers and ensure that no worker is punished for exercising their constitutional right to peaceful protest.
- Human Rights Commission of the Maldives to investigate these detentions and any potential human rights violations.
- Labour Relations Authority to conduct an immediate investigation into the issues that led to the protest and take relevant action to protect the workers' rights.
No authorities have shared any details regarding this issue.
Sources state that the expatriate workers protested due to their salary being withheld and because of poor welfare conditions in the workplace.
Police stated that those who protested on the island have been taken to the airport for deportation and that one of them has already left. Police said that action will be taken based on the decision from Immigration and the employers of those who protested and opposed deportation.
The reclamation of a 34 hectare region in Bolidhuffaru lagoon to build a resort is a project under Dubai's DAMAC Properties. The construction work was awarded to a Maldivian company.
