Aima Construction Company has decided to repatriate a group of migrant workers employed at the company. The company decided to send the migrants back after they vandalized two properties under development as part of protests. The company stated that work to repatriate the migrants was begun immediately and a charter flight will be arranged to transport them back home on May 30. A total of 270 Bangladeshi nationals are to be repatriated by the company. On June 5, a plane will be arranged to transport Indian nationals who are to be repatriated. 

 They were on the islands of M. Madifushi and K. Rahfalhu Huraa when they began to protest. Damage caused to the properties were equal to MVR 12.77 million, said an official from Aima, who spoke with Sun. The company also stated that the migrants had gotten into violent altercations at the facility. They were later transported to K.  Thilafushi with the assistance of Police after becoming violent.

Some people involved in the violent altercations suffered injuries to their hands and torso. Makeshift clubs were seemingly used to inflict such injuries.

Sun has understood that the violent altercations by the migrants were a result of difficulties faced in transferring money back home. Disruptions have been faced in almost every aspect of daily normal life in the country, including food supply, travel, and health services, due to COVID-19.

An official from Aima Construction said that the violence had led to the company accommodating hundreds in temporary accommodation that had to be constructed in Thilafushi.

The official said that all the arrangements may not be fully made at the location. Food arrangements for the migrants would still be arranged, said the company official who added that that the company was working to arrange everything in a manner that would not cause difficulties to anyone.

The company had also assured the government and the embassies of the nationals that their salaries and remunerations would be fully paid when they are sent back. The company stated that the wages for last month were not paid to the migrants due to their protest. However, the wages would be paid fully when they are repatriated.

The official also added that Aima had a clean record and had never been withheld any payments to be made to employees. The company policy was to operate in a manner that would not damage the image of investors. Due to COVID-19, difficulties and challenges were and are being faced, said the official.

The company had requested the Police and relevant state bodies to investigate and take action against acts of vandalism against the company, just as the company was protecting the rights of those employed.

The company estimates that the acts of vandalism caused MVR 12.77 million (USD 828,333) in damages.

the two properties were worth MVR 2.2 billion (USD 145 million), said the official.

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