MHPU Highlights Need for Childcare Facilities and Better Working Conditions for Women on International Women’s Day

On International Women’s Day, the Maldives Health Professionals Union (MHPU) urged the government to establish state-run childcare facilities in major hospitals to improve working conditions for women in the healthcare sector. 

Women make up more than 65 percent of the workforce in Maldivian healthcare, yet many face systemic challenges that make it difficult to continue in their roles, the union said. They highlighted the pressures on women in healthcare, including long duty hours, double shifts, years of excessive workloads, unpaid or underpaid overtime, and unsafe workplaces with unaddressed occupational hazards. According to the union, balancing motherhood with demanding duties remains a significant challenge for women in healthcare, with many women experiencing intense workloads during pregnancy, pressure when taking sick leave or family-related leave, and limited support for breastfeeding. Some workers have even reported miscarriages linked to the intensity of their work, the union reported.

MHPU also noted that current maternity policies fail to reflect the realities faced by women in the sector. Serious gaps include the absence of provisions for IVF or fertility treatments, no recognition of adoption or fostering, and a lack of childcare support in hospitals. Instances were cited where mothers were asked to return to work after a miscarriage, highlighting the urgent need for policies rooted in compassion, dignity, and empathy, the union said.

While the government has announced policy revisions such as work-from-home options for parents of children with disabilities, flexible morning start times, and extended breastfeeding support from one to two years, the union said these measures are not consistently implemented for 24/7 duty staff such as healthcare workers.

The MHPU called for meaningful reforms, including:

• Reforming outdated maternity policies
• Establishing state-owned childcare facilities in major hospitals
• Implementing flexible duty schedules for mothers returning to work
• Ensuring full compensation for overtime work
• Creating safe workplaces free from harassment, intimidation, and gender-based discrimination
• Engaging in meaningful consultation with workers’ unions in policy formulation, implementation, and monitoring

The union emphasised that supporting women in healthcare is not solely a gender issue but critical to maintaining a robust and sustainable health system in the Maldives.