The Ministry of Homeland has called on employers to set up bank accounts for migrant workers at the earliest opportunity.

A modification to the Foreigners Employment Regulations, released on the 25th of last month, mandated that foreigners employed in the Maldives must have their salaries deposited into bank accounts. According to the amendment, wages are required to be transferred to an account established in the employee’s name at a bank approved by the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) or otherwise permitted by the authority.

In a statement on Monday, the ministry urged employers to promptly create bank accounts for migrant workers. It further mentioned that in cases examined by the Labor Relations Authority, salary payments will be deemed valid solely if deposited into a bank account of the employee that is registered with or approved by the MMA.

In a different announcement, the ministry stated that it had noticed certain companies were utilizing business visas to accelerate the work permit acquisition process. Consequently, from Tuesday onward, foreigners arriving in the Maldives with business visas or special visas will no longer be allowed to change those visas into work visas.

A significant number of expatriates are employed in the Maldives, with many residing without appropriate documentation. The government claims it is taking steps to tackle these problems and regulate migrant employment appropriately.