Protection of labor rights of private sector employees in Maldives

Abstract

The rights of private sector employees began to be acknowledged with the enactment of the 2008 Constitution and the Employment Act of 2008. Despite the existence of employment laws and regulatory bodies, it is not uncommon for private sector employees to raise complaints about the infringement of their rights. This research aims to identify some key rights that private sector employees are entitled to and the extent to which they are protected by relevant legislation. This will ultimately help to determine the steps necessary to ensure the protection of the rights of private sector employees. This research was conducted through qualitative methods and data was collected mainly through documents and interviews. This research focuses on the right to fair wages, freedom from discrimination, fair working hours, safe working conditions and adequate accommodation. It was discovered that private sector employees, especially migrant workers, are more vulnerable to being exploited. Hence, private sector employees cannot fully enjoy basic labor rights they are entitled to.