TIM

Migrants dominate the Maldivian workforce, accounting for nearly one-third of the total population. The Maldives has around 169,000 documented and 65,000 undocumented foreign employees. In the Maldives, Bangladeshi migrants suffered overcrowding, confiscated documentation, arbitrary dismissals, working long shifts with no time off, forced labour conditions, and nonpayment of salaries. Economic decline, alienation from the host country, inadequate social support, restricted mobility, and the accompanying diminished feeling of self-worth render them vulnerable to egregious human rights violations that lead to conflicts and economic losses. Migrants are unaware of their rights, and the Immigration Department (ID), Labour Relations Authority (LRA), and Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM) are underfunded and understaffed to conduct effective public awareness campaigns.

Under such circumstances, RMMRU is now implementing a project titled "Bangladeshi Labor Migrants in Maldives: Mitigating the Risks and Vulnerabilities to Trafficking and Irregular Migration" funded by the Asia Foundation under South Asia Governance Program (SAGP). The project activities, which are mainly based on three pieces of research, a series of advocacy activities, and legal supports to the returnee, are designed under three objectives. They are-

I.   To understand the risks and vulnerabilities to Irregular Migrants from Bangladesh to the Maldives

II. To identify the solutions and develop policy responses to the risks and vulnerabilities in outflow of irregular labor migrations and the returnees

III. To facilitate access to justice to ensure safe migration to the Maldives and return to Bangladesh in collaboration with the government and CSO stakeholders.