COVID-19: 104 complaints over labor rights violations

The Maldivian government, on Thursday, announced it has received 104 complaints over labor rights violations in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Economic Ministry has established an online portal, JobCenter, to offer a platform to report changes to employment due to the virus pandemic.

During a press conference at the National Emergency Operations Center this afternoon, government spokesperson Mabrouq Azeez said 104 complaints had been lodged via the portal so far.

It includes complaints over terminations, forced no-pay leaves, pay cuts, withholding of allowances, and indefinite suspensions.

Mabrouq warned that employers who mistreat their employees will not be eligible for the government’s economic stimulus package.

Each complaint will be investigated separately, and employers found to be mistreating their employees will be taken action against, he said.

“No one will lose their labor rights due to COVID-19. We will look at this case-by-case, and take necessary action,” said Mabrouq.

The government has announced an economic stimulus package of MVR 2.5 billion, to issue loans to businesses facing losses due to the virus pandemic. The main condition for eligibility is that no employee be terminated.