Usham: Maldives will expand protections for expatriate workers

Attorney General Ahmed Usham has stated that the government will strengthen protections for expatriates living and working in the Maldives.

His remarks were made during a virtual review session held Tuesday and Wednesday, where the Maldives presented its 13th to 15th periodic report under the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD). The report, submitted in 2019, covers efforts made from 2011 to June of the reporting year.

Opening the review, Usham emphasized that it is both a legal and constitutional responsibility of the Maldives to uphold the principles of equality and non-discrimination. He noted that the Convention’s provisions apply directly to the rights of foreign workers residing in the country.

“To ensure these rights, the Maldives will expand its efforts to improve the affairs of expatriates in line with modern development and provide them with protection,” Usham said.

During the two-day session, committee members questioned the Maldives on its implementation of the Convention. The Attorney General’s Office stated that the review process reflects the country’s commitment to eliminating racial discrimination and improving legal safeguards.

Following the session, the committee is expected to issue its concluding observations and recommendations based on the Maldives’ report and the information shared during the review.