The government has signed an agreement with the International Labour Organization to implement the Decent Work Country Programme for 2025 through 2031, a framework intended to safeguard workers’ rights and promote dignified conditions across workplaces nationwide.
The programme, known as DWCP 2025-2031, is the ILO’s national-level framework that sets out agreed priorities among governments, employers and workers to advance decent work. It is aligned with the Maldives’ national development plans and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
According to the Ministry of Higher Education, Labour and Skills Development, the agreement, formalised through a memorandum of understanding, is designed to strengthen the country’s labour sector by embedding safety and fairness for workers, while ensuring adherence to international labour standards.
The signing ceremony featured Labour Minister Dr Ali Haidar Ahmed, who underscored the programme’s strategic importance in preparing the nation for future challenges. He explained that the DWCP functions as a training initiative for workers, enabling the Maldives to anticipate and mitigate risks that may arise in the years ahead.
Minister Haidar said the programme reflects a broader national vision to protect the rights and dignity of workers, empower employers to pursue sustainable development and build a resilient labour market capable of adapting to necessary changes. “This symbolises the commitment to safeguard the rights and dignity of every worker, to empower employers for sustainable development, and to construct a resilient labour market that will prepare the nation for necessary future changes,” he added.
The memorandum brings together key stakeholders in the Maldivian labour landscape. Signatories include the Labour and Skills Development Ministry, associations representing workers, associations representing employers and the International Labour Organization.
The Labour Ministry described the agreement as a pivotal step toward strengthening the country’s labour sector. Officials anticipate that the initiative will advance dignified work programmes across the country, fostering a fair and non-discriminatory environment that prioritises workers’ rights.
Within the DWCP framework, the ministry outlined specific strategic priorities. These include expanding the ratification of international labour standards and reinforcing mechanisms for social dialogue, alongside strengthening associated procedures and national capabilities.