Government to limit unskilled migrant workers to one SIM card

The Cabinet has decided to strengthen the issuance of mobile SIM cards in the Maldives by limiting unskilled migrant workers to a maximum of one SIM card.

According to the President’s Office, under the decision made at Sunday’s Cabinet meeting, an additional SIM card will only be issued to a migrant worker through a police-cleared process established for cases such as damaged or lost cards.

In addition, the Cabinet decided to ensure legal and administrative action against individuals who have registered mobile SIM cards that are later found smuggled into correctional facilities.

The measure is part of broader efforts to address issues linked to irregular migrant workers. The government has launched a nationwide project to regularise foreign workers, collect biometric data, and identify and deport those living in the country illegally.

According to the Bureau of Statistics, the Maldives’ population is estimated at 590,079, including 394,054 locals and 196,024 migrant workers, a proportion that highlights the scale of the foreign workforce. The demographic breakdown also shows a significant gender imbalance among migrant workers, with males accounting for 174,005 individuals, or 89 percent of the migrant population, while females make up just 22,019, or 10 percent.

Officials say the high number of unskilled male migrant workers in particular has contributed to challenges in monitoring SIM-card misuse and scams, prompting the government to tighten issuance rules.