Labour Migration and Development

The Maldives is a major regional country of destination for labour, both lower and high-skilled labour – supporting the integral hospitality and tourism sectors and the construction boom. It is estimated that migrant workers constitute one third of the total population of the Maldives. Government expects these numbers to continue to grow in the coming years given trends in the construction and tourism sectors.

As most migrant workers are lower-skilled workers, they are vulnerable to unethical recruitment and employment practices.

To improve protection of migrant workers and while ensuring that the needs of the labour market are met, IOM  supports the Government to strengthening migration and foreign employment policy, raising awareness among migrant workers of their rights and obligations, and increasing the capacity of the Government to collect and analyse data to assess labour market needs.