The cabinet has discussed the possibility of decreasing the duration of criminal records to encourage greater youth participation in the workforce, after noting that many skilled youth job applications were being dismissed because of criminal records for minor offences.
The matter was presented by Youth Minister Dr Hassan Latheef on June 7 and the cabinet formed a sub-committee to study the issue.
‘’’The Cabinet members noted that youth accounted for over 43 percent of the population, and in the current job market criminal records were a barrier to job-seeking for many young people.’’
The President’s Office said that cabinet ministers had agreed that the existing system, which requires five year-criminal records, barred many educated and skilled youth with minor offences from gainful employment.
‘’Members agreed that lowering the current standards of establishing good character would increase the number of skilled job seekers,’’ President’s Office said.
The government will announce a procedure for conducting background checks of job seekers for criminal records, said the President’s Office.
Press Secretary for the President, Mohamed Zuhair, said the objective of decreasing the duration of criminal records was mainly to help recovered drug addicts who often have difficulties in finding a job due to their record.
‘’The government is currently discussing with all the concerned authorities such as Department of Penitentiary and Rehabilitation Services (DPRS), Parole board, Clemency board and so on,’’ said Zuhair. ‘’When the amendment to the procedure is brought I think the duration of criminal records may be reduced to perhaps three years.”
Currently those arrested on suspicion of violating a law also have a criminal record filed in their police report.
‘’Incrimination is something that this government condemns. We are currently working to solve this issue,’’ Zuhair added.
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why lowering standards like this will not work. It creates a low grade society
"Currently those arrested on suspicion of violating a law also have a criminal record filed in their police report".
This is a false statement. Only if a case is prosecuted only then the incident is listed in the Police Report Not every arrest. Pls refer to "Kushuge Record haama Kurumuge Gavaidhu (2009)"
this is not going to win you any votes, because the frustratration this will bring to normal law abiding people will be greater than the support of a handfull of criminals, shows how much MDP has lost touch with the raiyyithu meehaa
It seems the cabinet is suggesting the wrong incentives in this case for criminals. Reducing the duration of crime record kept from 5 years to 3 years can be considered a be a form of deception to the employers by the government. The employers ought to know well about the candidate's background before hiring them.
If the minor crimes they are referring to are consumption of soft drugs, then a sensible approach would be to decriminalize that class of soft drugs. (But my guess is, this country is far from a bold move as such)
Instead, alternative suggestion would be voluntary service to clear the record for minor crimes. What I mean by that is; the youth who have a criminal record can volunteer to work full time for a company for a period of 6 months diligently regardless of position or pay. When the period is over, a reference letter will be provided by the company and based on the youth's job performance and traits, then his or her record can be cleared by the police.
From then onwards, he or she can continue to work in the same company on full employment or choose to go elsewhere. Unlike parole, staying home and doing nothing, by volunteering to do full time work in a company they would actually learn something and make themselves useful.
the arrogance of this government leaves me speechless....who the F**K do they think they are? tax us to the bone, opening up the coutry for foreing companies and workesrs to swamp us and back hard working joes in a corner; while rewarding the corrupt and the criminal.
Anni is a nutter and theres nothing i can do to stop him