IUF condemns police repression and stands with workers in the Maldives

The International Union of Food, Agricultural, Hotel, Restaurant, Catering, Tobacco and Allied Workers' Associations (IUF) expresses strong solidarity with workers in the Maldives and condemns the arrest and detention of trade union leaders and members engaged in peaceful collective action.

On December 10, 2025, marking National Fishermen's Day, the IUF-affiliated Bodu Kanneli Masveringe Union (BKMU) and the Tourism Employees Association of Maldives (TEAM) organized a peaceful protest and lawful strike to highlight the economic hardships faced by fishers.

The unions called for fair pricing for fish catches and urged hotels and resorts to source seafood from local fishers. Despite the peaceful nature of the action, police arrested union leaders and members on December 11, 2025, including several migrant workers.

These arrests violate ILO Conventions 87 and 98, the Constitution of the Maldives, and the Industrial Relations Act of 2024, which guarantees workers' rights to organize and engage in collective action.

"We call on the Government to immediately end all repression, release all detained workers, withdraw all charges, and engage in good-faith negotiations with BKMU and TEAM. And any punitive measures against migrant workers would constitute a serious breach of international law," said Kristjan Bragason, IUF Acting General Secretary.