In a statement on Sunday, the MHPU noted that all civil service workers transitioned to the new national pay system in November of the previous year, with all related policies now governed by national pay standards, which necessitate fairness among all civil service employees.

The union stated that this renders the hiring of any differences among civil service personnel contrary to the intent of Article 37 of the Maldivian Constitution and Article 4 of the Employment Act.

As per the MHPU, under the national pay structure implemented in 2022, civil service staff transitioning to the new system must work eight hours daily, six days a week.

However, due to allowances made by state agencies, certain employees work six hours daily, five days a week.

“However, we observed that healthcare workers from specific groups still maintain an eight-hour workday, six days a week.” “There is a significant imbalance among workers regarding fairness in compensation and workplace policies,” the statement asserts.

The MHPU voiced worries that hospitals were requiring healthcare workers to exceed the official four-hour workday set by the President’s Office without offering any extra compensation, labeling it as a “great injustice” to them.

MHPU emphasized that healthcare workers already function in environments that pose considerable risks to their health and safety, and that unequal treatment regarding working hours exacerbates their mental stress.