Work permits, visas of GMR employeesto be cancelled

The Department of Immigration and Emigration has informed that following the termination of the agreement between the Maldivian government and GMR, the work permits and visas of employees of GMR will be cancelled within seven days.

Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Immigration Department Mohamed Khalid told Sun Online that since the government has given notice of seven days to GMR to hand over the airport, the work permits and visas issued to GMR employees will not be valid after this period. He informed that this is as per existing regulations.

“Government institutions have to comply with the government’s decisions, so we have decided to do this,” he said.

Meanwhile, a memo was sent by Head of Immigration Department Abdullah Waheed yesterday,to Work Visa Section, Foreign Employment Section and Quota Unit of Immigration Department, informing them that no additional work permits or visas should be issued to GMR until the government advises on how to act on this issue.

The government has informed GMR that the decision has been made to terminate the agreement between GMR-MAHB Consortium, Maldives Airports Company Ltd, and the Government of Maldives.

It has informed GMR to hand over the airport within seven days, and to vacate and remove all property from the airport within 30 days. GMR has said that it will not heed this decision.