President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on Saturday asserted the importance of Maldivians taking on more active roles to build the nation. In his statement on International Labour Day, the President stated that the country would experience more comprehensive growth if its citizens, with their dynamic ideas, approached jobs currently assumed by foreign workers.
The President highlighted how the government had repatriated over 16,000 foreign workers during the Covid-19 pandemic to safeguard jobs for the locals afflicted during the pandemic. He assured that guaranteeing workers’ rights and strengthening existing labour laws is a priority of his administration.
President Solih acknowledged how workers are still experiencing unjust hardships such as poor remuneration and inhumane working conditions. Amendments were made to the Employment Act in September of last year under the administration’s efforts to protect workers’ rights, which gave headway to introducing a minimum wage and other improvements that ensure their rights.
Concluding his statement, the President expressed well wishes and a fortuitous future to the workforce of Maldives on this Labour Day.