Maldives forced to think about and take steps against changes to national character – President

President Mohamed Waheed has said Maldives is forced to think about and take measures against the changes that the “national character” is undergoing.

Speaking at a ceremony to celebrate the National Day in L. Fonadhoo, the President said, ‘If the number of migrant workers continue to increase, [Maldivian] national character will be lost.’ He added that there were approximately 111,000 migrant workers on work visa, while illegal migrant workers number more than 40,000.

The President said for every three Maldivians there was a migrant worker, and if the number increased at its current rate of 20% per year, migrant population will surpass that of the Maldivian population in 6 years.

‘This is something no Maldivian can and will want to accept. If the influence of foreigners grow, threat of negative impacts on Maldivianness, culture and nationhood is not unrealistic.’

The President also highlighted other surrounding issues, and laid out some measures that needed to be taken to address the issues.

‘Special attention must be given to trainings Maldivians for skilled areas for which migrant workers are recruited,’ he said. ‘Similarly, given the current situation, resort owners must consider recruiting only for Maldivians for certain jobs.’

In his national day speech, the President also talked about the related issue of human-trafficking in the Maldives. He said if the country descended to “Tier 3” watch list from its current category of “Tier 2”, it would face difficulties, among other issues, in seeking foreign assistance.

The government, he continued, was taking measures to prevent the country from falling into “Tier 3” category of human trafficking. The measures included an awareness campaign underway and a draft bill on anti-trafficking submitted to the People’s Majlis.

The President urged everyone to participate in the awareness campaign led by Ministry of Foreign Affairs and called on the members of the People’s Majlis to prioritise the bill in its next sitting.

As an effective border control system was crucial for addressing trafficking, the President appealed to all State institutions not to politicise the issue of trafficking.

As part of the National Day celebrations, the President also participated in the flag hoisting ceremony and a tree planting ceremony held this morning.