Fire in Maldives that killed 9 Indians exposes dark side of the island paradise

When we think of Maldives, we think of the turquoise waters and pristine beaches where Bollywood celebs frequently go for their vacations. But beyond this touristy, sun-kissed image of paradise lies the reality of cramped and inhuman spaces filled with abused migrant workers.    

What? In a tragic incident in the Maldivian capital Male, a fire has killed at least nine Indian migrant workers. AFP reported that the fire broke out on Thursday, November 10 in a building where foreign workers were lodged. 

It took about four hours for the fire officials to put out the blaze. Reportedly, among the dead is also a Bangladeshi national.

Nine Indians among 10 killed in #fire in #Maldives' capital #Male. pic.twitter.com/ekneJLpkh1

— Chaudhary Parvez (@ChaudharyParvez) November 10, 2022

The Indian High Commission in Maldives condoled the tragic incident. 

We are deeply saddened by the tragic fire incident in Malé which has caused loss of lives, including reportedly of Indian nationals.

We are in close contact with the Maldivian authorities.

For any assistance, HCI can be reached on following numbers:
+9607361452 ; +9607790701

— India in Maldives (@HCIMaldives) November 10, 2022

How did the fire start? The fire reportedly started from the vehicle repair garage on the ground floor and the bodies were discovered on the upper floor of the building.

NDMA has established an evacuation center in Maafannu Stadium for those displaced and affected by the fire in Male'. Arrangements are being made to provide relief assistance and support.

— NDMA Maldives (@NDMAmv) November 10, 2022

The tragedy only highlights the inhuman conditions that migrant workers in Maldives have been subjected to. And it is definitely not what anyone signs up for when they pay upwards of $2,000 (roughly Rs 1.63 lakh) to their agents who promise them decent jobs.   

Poor living conditions: The Covid-19 pandemic exposed the despicable living conditions of foreign workers in Maldives when infections started spreading three times faster among foreign workers than among local residents. 

• A Humans Rights Watch report also sounded the alarm on the abusive treatment and lack of protection offered to migrant workers.
• This is worth noting because nearly half of Male's population is made up of foreign workers mostly hailing from India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
• And nearly of third of Maldives's entire population is made up of migrant workers. These workers working in construction to hospitality contribute immensely to Maldives economy.
• Bangladesh was also alarmed over a spike in attacks on its nationals in Maldives a few years ago.  

We spoke to the Indian migrant workers who protested in Hulhumale on 6 July.

They are employed by a company called Island Expert to build the police flats in Hulhumale. The following three videos shows the appalling conditions they've been forced to live in.#visitmaldives
1/4 pic.twitter.com/gEf4ouFqHf

— ނަވާނަވައި (@navaanavai) July 8, 2020

The kind of abuses migrant workers face in Maldives:  

• Migrant workers in Maldives are often abused by their employers who sometimes use deceptive recruitment methods. Workers are subjected to wage theft, passport confiscation, forced labour, and poor living conditions. 
• Around 12 to 15 workers are sometimes forced to share 2.5-by-3.5-metre rooms, HRW reported. At times, some 200 workers have to share accommodation and sleep on a shift basis.
• Even if migrant workers want to protest against the treatment, they face deportation threats from the government.

• During the lockdown in 2020 when workers started protesting, the Maldivian government called the protestors a national security threat. Some were detained, while some were deported without ever being paid their salaries.