MACI requests for Work Permit holders to quarantine in own accommodation

Malé, Maldives — Maldives National Association of Construction Industry (MACI) decided to request the government to allow Work Permit holders to quarantine in their own accommodation if it adheres to the conditions provided by the government.

While Work Permit holders were initially banned from entering the Maldives due to the surge in the number of Covid-19 cases in South Asia, the authorities recently decided to allow work permit holders to enter Maldives from today onwards as a gradual decrease in the number of Covid-19 cases is seen in the country.

However, unlike before, mandatory quarantine measures have been placed for all the Work Permit holders arriving in Maldives.

Initially the Health Ministry announced that Work Permit holders are required to stay at a hotel or guesthouse, suggested by the government, for their quarantine period and must also pay for their own quarantine expenses, beginning with MR 7,700 as the least price.

After concerns were expressed over the high prices, an emergency meeting was held by the Executive Board of MACI, where members passed to give opportunities for the construction companies to have their Work Permit holder quarantine in their own accommodation, only if it adheres to the quarantine guidelines provided by the government.

MACI stated that this offer will be accepted after the Health Protection Agency inspects the suggested accommodation and registers it as a quarantine facility.

In the meeting, MACI also decided to request the government in making the expenses of the migrant workers a “Construction Variation” expense. With this, instead of the construction company, the employer must pay for all additional expenses of the worker, such as quarantine expenses.