INTERNATIONAL TRADE UNION CONFEDERATION
ITUC OnLine
179/261009
Brussels, 26 October 2009 (ITUC OnLine): A new ITUC report on core labour standards in the Republic of the Maldives
reveals that despite becoming the 183rd member state of the ILO in May 2009, the island country has not so far ratified
any of the eight core ILO labour Conventions. This report has been prepared to coincide with the Maldives’ trade policy
review at the WTO this week.
While the Maldives adopted a new Constitution and labour legislation in 2008, violent suppression of strikes has
occurred, and so far no trade unions exist in the country. Commenting on this situation, ITUC General Secretary Guy
Ryder stated that “even though the multi-party democratic elections in 2008 were a promising step forward towards
respect for the fundamental rights of workers, until trade unions are established and can bargain collectively the
Maldives will not be living up to its international commitments to respect workers’ basic human rights.”
Among the report’s findings is that serious discrimination continues to take place against women at the workplace. The
government has yet to address issues of discrimination or to provide equal opportunities in employment. Many women have
to leave their job once their first child is born because of the complete absence of child care facilities in the
country.
The report also observes that child labour takes place, particularly in the fishing industry and in domestic work. The
relatively large number of forced labour-type situations among migrant workers who make up 26 percent of the population,
and female domestic workers in the Maldives, represents a serious problem.
The report emphasises that the priority for the Maldives must be to ratify and fully implement the eight ILO core
conventions so that it brings its labour law and practice into line with basic international labour standards
To read the full report: http://www.ituc-csi.org/IMG/pdf/Trade_Policy_Review_Maldives_final_october_09_.pdf
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Website: http://http://www.ituc-csi.org and http://www.youtube.com/ITUCCSI
ENDS