President: Protection of workers’ rights important for national development

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih said on Sunday that the protection and promotion of the rights of workers was important to ensure national development.

He made the remark in his statement on occasion of International Workers’ Day.

In his statement, President Solih said that each member of the workforce played an essential role, and deserved recognition and celebration.

President Solih said that there was much that needed to be done to protect the rights of workers in Maldives, including addressing unfair wages and discrepancies in remuneration, poor living and working conditions, and delayed wage payments.

He said that such oversights were strict violations of the constitution and laws that govern the rights of workers.

President Solih said his administration was committed to promoting and protecting workers’ rights, and highlight the legislative efforts to introduce and implement a minimum wage and mandate the collection and distribution of service charges for tourism sector employees.

He said that strengthening the workforce would drive national progress further, and that the most crucial component for workforce development was increasing participation of youth.