MHPU Raises Concern Over Working Hour Disparities in Healthcare Sector During Ramadan

The Maldives Health Professionals Union (MHPU) has expressed concern over disparities in the official working hours applied to employees across healthcare facilities, despite the government setting Ramadan working hours for state agencies at four hours per day. The official working schedule during Ramadan is from 09:00am to 01:00pm.

In a statement issued, the MHPU noted that all civil service employees were migrated to the national pay framework in November last year, with policies relating to working conditions now governed by national pay standards. The union said the framework requires equity among all civil service employees.

The union argued that applying different working hour arrangements among civil service employees could contradict the spirit of Article 37 of the Maldives Constitution and Article 4 of the Employment Act, which promote fairness in employment practices.

The MHPU stated that under the national pay framework introduced in 2022, civil service employees who joined the system are generally required to work eight hours per day, six days per week. However, some state agencies have granted concessions allowing certain employees to work six hours per day, five days per week.

The union noted that healthcare professionals in some categories continue to be required to work eight hours per day, six days per week, describing the situation as creating significant disparity among employees who are subject to the same pay and employment policies.

The MHPU also raised concern that some hospitals require healthcare professionals to work beyond the four-hour official working day declared by the President’s Office during Ramadan without providing additional remuneration. The union described the situation as a serious injustice.

The statement added that healthcare professionals already work in environments that carry considerable health and safety risks, and that unequal treatment in working hours contributes to increased mental stress among staff.

The union called on all hospitals and healthcare facilities to adhere to the four-hour official working day for Ramadan announced by the President’s Office and to ensure that healthcare professionals are properly compensated if they are required to work beyond the prescribed hours.