Police obstruct workers' march

The Maldives Police Service (MPS) has obstructed the march held in the capital Malé City for workers' rights.

A special rally was held on Thursday evening to mark International Workers' Day.

The march was organized to begin from the Rasfannu area of Malé, proceed along Majeedhee Magu, and end at the Artificial Beach. However, the police blocked Majeedhee Magu at a certain point, preventing access to the road in a bid to obstruct the march.

After initially granting permission for the march to proceed along Majeedhee Magu, the police revoked the permission at the last moment. Taking to social media platform ‘X’, police stated that permission had been granted to the organizers to conduct the Workers' Day rally along Ameenee Magu, and that they had informed the organizers that they would provide safety and security for the rally and facilitate it.

However, the organizers of the rally have stated that they wish to proceed with the rally peacefully as planned.

The march, which involves unions from various sectors operating in the Maldives, called for the protection and guarantee of all workers' rights.

Among the unions participating in the march are the Taxi Drivers' Union and the Bodu Kanneli Fishermen's Union.

Previously, the organizers of the march had stated that it was a march being held to call for the guarantee of workers' rights.

However, due to the police obstructing the peaceful march, the participants of the march have also been expressing their concerns about this.