A total of forty-nine migrant workers employed under Jaah Investments (formerly Jausa Investments Pvt Ltd) have filed their case with the Employment Tribunal over unpaid salaries.
The migrant workers’ representative, Public Interest Law Centre (PILC) filed a case at the tribunal since government agencies have fallen short of assisting them or taking any action.
The workers were employed to develop buildings in Hulhumale’. In December 2022, the workers protested alleging they were brought to the Maldives by local companies to make them work without pay for lengthy hours.
The public protests followed after raising the issue with both Maldives Police and Labour Relations Authority (LRA).
Meanwhile, the Human Rights Commission of Maldives (HRCM) did not any visible action after the employees protested.
A PILC official commented that the matter was of concern since the rights of a group of people were infringed in the Maldives while no action was taken by any agency.
“Even though we have submitted the case, we will still be working to reach an understanding through discussion,” PILC official said.
Apart from unpaid wages, the migrant workers also complained about corporate discrimination based on their countries of origin.
Meanwhile, the employer had said delays in payments to some of its employees were tied to financial constraints. The company promised payments will be handed once the issues are sorted.
In a letter to the complainant, it was claimed that efforts to resolve the matter hit a stalemate with Jaah Investments, as the company had refused to cooperate. The letter also said the company did not send contracts to the LRA despite seeking contracts from employees over non-payment of wages.
As a solution, LRA suggested that the petitioner proceed with the tribunal.
The expatriates had flown in to the Maldives with the promise that their employer will pay them a monthly salary of USD 350 (MVR5,397) as basic. However, after the migrant workers reached Maldives, their salaries were reduced to MVR4,000 per month.
Moreover, the workers also complained that their passports have been held by their employer.
This adds to a growing chain of similar cases involving human trafficking and discriminatory conduct towards migrant workers in the Maldives. There were instances where employees have been made to work without pay, given unfit accommodation, and workplace violence as well.