Deadline Extended to Submit Medical Reports for Foreign Workers in Maldives

The Maldivian Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology has extended the deadline for foreign workers to submit medical reports and work permits, moving it to July 4 with a six-month period.

The decision to extend the deadline was prompted by the difficulty encountered by companies in preparing medical reports for a large number of foreign workers simultaneously. Additionally, overcrowding in clinics and hospitals further complicated the timely completion of the necessary documentation, as reported by the Ministry.

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Under the Regulation on Employment of Expatriates in the Maldives, it is mandatory for every foreign worker entering Maldives for employment purposes to provide a medical report. This measure is in place to prevent the introduction of diseases that have been eradicated from the Maldives, as well as to curb the spread of potentially dangerous illnesses.

The urgency of enforcing this requirement was underscored last month when foreign workers in the northern region of Maldives tested positive for filariasis. These workers had entered the country without the requisite medical reports, highlighting the importance of adherence to existing procedures. Subsequent screenings in Hulhumale’ revealed additional positive cases among foreign workers, bringing the total number of infections to 32.

To further enhance the screening process, the Ministry has now mandated the submission of a “work permit medical” along with the screening report for specified diseases. Failure to comply with the extended deadline of July 4 will result in punitive measures, as stated by the Ministry.