Economic Minister Fayyaz Ismail has said the current government has widely facilitated those working in various sectors to have the freedom of expression and the opportunity to lodge complaints.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Maldives Trade Union's Workers' Congress on Friday, Minister Fayyaz said important changes have been made in employment matters in a short period of time.
Maldives Trade Union's Workers' Congress is the first such meeting to be held in the Maldives to date.
"This is a very important right that workers have been given through democracy," Fayyaz said.
The minister noted that the opportunity to take a complaint related to the field in which the person works to the relevant authorities has now been facilitated. Fayyaz said that during the first cabinet meeting of the current government, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih had emphasized taking into account the workers, the labor market, and economic issues. Previously, workers were not aware that their rights should exist, and the Industrial Relations Act is the solution for the issue, the minister noted.
The minister further noted that the Job Centre, which was run by the Economic Ministry, being converted as a separate entity was an important step forward.
"Businesses should take advantage of the National Job Center to get locals out into various fields. We are also working with the Higher Education Ministry [to achieve this]," Fayyaz said.
Minister Fayyaz added that this is just the beginning, and all industries should work together to develop the job market in the future.
