One of the longest-serving parliament lawmakers, Maamigili MP and founder of the Jumhoory Party (JP), Qasim Ibrahim, has spoken against the government’s decision to raise the fees related to the expat quota.<\/p>\n
According to the relevant law, employers need to furnish MVR 350 per expatriate and a MVR 2,000 quota fee per annum per expat employee.<\/p>\n
The government proposed amendments to the Employment Act recently, which sought to grant the state discretion to revise these fees in every 18 months. The amendment also stipulates that the price revisions must not exceed 30% of the present value.<\/p>\n
At the Committee on National Security Services (241) Monday meeting, Qasim Ibrahim strongly advocated against this change.<\/p>\n
Speaking in favor of the bill, Central-Hithadhoo MP Ahmed Azan argued the government would have conducted due diligence and research before proposing the legislation draft. He also said any changes to the bill at the parliamentary stage could impede the projected revenue for the state.<\/p>\n
The veteran MP, however, argued against the bill and was quoted saying, “We are not here to simply approve the bills submitted by the government, but to hold the executive responsible.”<\/p>\n
Hanimaadhoo MP Abdul Ghafoor Moosa said the introduction of new public taxes is possible through constitutional amendments, but not through regulations.<\/p>\n
Monday’s committee meeting concluded without a conclusive decision made on the quota fee issue.