Former President Mohamed Nasheed has said that reducing costs at local resorts is not in the interest of Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP).

President Nasheed said this while speaking of the matter regarding bringing in foreign workers to resorts for a cheaper wage than what is given to locals.

He has said that while decreasing costs is not in MDP’s interests, the party’s interests lie in increasing the holding of the people’s pockets.

Speaking at a ceremony held at Faafu Bilehdhoo, President Nasheed said that foreign workers are brought in and employed at resorts for reasons other than the method costing less. He said that one of those reasons is that the foreign workers brought to Maldives are treated similar to slaves. President Nasheed cited this as the reason that the cost of bringing in foreign work is cheaper. He added that if people who are treated like slaves are carrying out the work in resorts, what work would there be left for “independent” citizens.

President Nasheed noted that the current goal is to pass a Bill at Parliament to compose a directory of all unemployed people within islands in Maldives. He said that as per the law, once passed, the wage limits will be set by Parliament and that any foreigners can only be brought into Maldives after locals are initially sought for employment.