May Day rally calls for better workers' rights
The march took place from Rasfannu down Majeedhee road to the artificial beach area.
By
Mariyam Umna Ismail
On the occasion of May Day, the International Workers' Day, which was celebrated this Monday, various workers' unions across the country have come together and held a rally in Male. The marchers demanded that the rights of the workers be ensured.
Maldives Trade Union Congress (MTUC), representing workers' unions, took part in the march from 4-6 pm Monday.
The march took place from Rasfannu down Majeedhee Magu to the artificial beach area.
The workers' rights groups, who took part in the march dubbed the May Day Rally, called for:
Tourism Employees Association of Maldives (TEAM)
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Giving off-days to resort employees two days a week
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Changing the policy to allow resort employees to keep beards
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Make 55% of resort employees Maldivians
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Providing accommodation to labourers
Maldives Health Professionals Union
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Ensure that healthcare workers meet international standards
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Migration of support staff to the job growth structure
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Setting up child care facilities in hospitals
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Ensuring accountability and transparency in health financing
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Providing technical education and training equally
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Freeing the functioning of hospitals from political interference
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Giving employees two days a week off
Maldives Ports Workers Union
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Reducing the cost of MPL flats
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Providing basic salary at par with big companies in fixing minimum wages
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Reducing working hours to seven hours
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Give off one day a week
Teachers Association of Maldives
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Giving each teacher a seat and a table to sit at
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Not limiting extra hours of work
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Give each teacher one day off a week
Bodu-Kanneli (Large Yellow Fin Tuna) Fishermen's Union
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Fixing the minimum price at which yellow fin tuna can be purchased
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MIFCO to start buying yellow fin tuna
Maldives Journalists Association (MJA)
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A minimum salary of MVR 15,000 per starting salary of experienced or graduate journalists
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Pay more money for hours outside the official working hours of journalists
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Putting an end to unfair practices in pay cuts for journalists
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End gender discrimination and create inclusive newsrooms
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Stop taking away the freedom of the press and ensuring speedy and effective investigation of crimes against journalists and ensure that the accused are brought to justice
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Stop journalists from working without an agreement
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Creating a national system in which journalists can be protected from the threats they face through their work
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Provide journalists with off-days and holidays guaranteed by law
