MDP Condemns Civil Service Dress Code Changes, Citing Discrimination Against Women

The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has criticised the changes to the dress code for civil service employees, describing them as an infringement on the personal freedom of women working in government sectors.

The party stated that the new rules directly contravene constitutional guarantees of equality, non-discrimination, and individual liberty. It highlighted concerns that state institutions, rather than protecting these rights, are now enforcing regulations that monitor women’s appearance.

The MDP emphasised that employee performance and professionalism should be measured by competence, results, and quality of service, not by clothing length or hair colour. The party described the rules as discriminatory, noting that they are applied only to female civil servants and not to employees of political offices, independent institutions, or government-owned companies.

The party also criticised the implication that women are responsible for maintaining societal morality through their dress, stating that such policies risk creating uncomfortable workplaces and diverting attention from institutional management and service delivery.

According to the MDP, strict enforcement of these rules could be used to limit job promotions or penalise women based on appearance, effectively isolating women from professional opportunities and public service. The party called on the Civil Service Commission to repeal the regulations and urged state institutions to respect women’s dignity and constitutional rights.

The Civil Service Commission updated regulations for government employees last week, including a ban on female staff colouring or highlighting their hair in bright shades. Women are required to maintain neat hair, darken it if necessary, and adhere to specific guidelines for clothing, footwear, and sleeve lengths.

The regulations state that skirts should have hems no shorter than two inches from the bottom, the bust should be covered in a socially acceptable manner, and sleeves should reach the elbow for short-sleeved garments or the wrist for long sleeves. Trousers and sneakers worn with jackets must meet office standards, while shirts and jackets should not expose the upper chest. Clothing materials must also be suitable for an office environment, though no detailed definition is provided.

For male employees, the dress code specifies long or short-sleeved shirts, with short sleeves no more than two inches above the elbow, ties free from words or images, and restrictions on makeup and jewellery except for a ring. Decorative items and ornaments are prohibited in the workplace.