The Maldives has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the International Labor Organization to implement the Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP) for the period 2025 to 2031. The agreement was signed between the Ministry of Higher Education, Labor and Skills Development and the ILO.
According to the Ministry, the programme aims to strengthen dignified employment opportunities in the Maldives, support the protection of workers’ rights, and promote fair, inclusive and non-discriminatory workplaces. The Ministry stated that all parties have agreed to cooperate on the implementation of the DWCP, which is tailored specifically to the needs of the Maldivian labour market.
The Decent Work Country Programme is the ILO’s primary framework for supporting member states in achieving improved labour standards and employment outcomes. In the Maldives, the DWCP will focus on policies that support both economic and social development while helping the country align more closely with international labour standards.
The DWCP for 2025–2031 outlines three main focus areas for the Maldives. The first is promoting shared prosperity and inclusive human development, ensuring that employment-related progress benefits all groups in society. The second area prioritises integrating international labour standards into national legislation and policies, with particular attention to gender equality and addressing class-based inequalities. The third area seeks to strengthen gender-responsive tripartite and social dialogue systems by improving both procedures and institutional capacity.
The Ministry noted that the agreement is expected to support worker safety, rights and fairness across all sectors of the economy. It described the MoU as an important step in the ongoing effort to strengthen the country’s employment landscape and enhance long-term labour governance.
