Torrential Rains: Towards a Unified National Protocol to Protect Employees

Title: Torrential Rains: Towards a Unified National Protocol to Protect Employees

The government is developing a unified national protocol for both the public and private sectors to ensure employee safety during torrential rains and climate-related disasters, ensuring fair and non-discriminatory treatment. In response to a question posed by MP Babita Thannoo regarding employee protection during torrential rains and climate disasters, Minister Shakeel Mohamed clarified that the issue had already been studied. Currently, both the public and private sectors have specific protocols aligned with Articles 16 and 17 of the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Act 2016.

These protocols consider the unique characteristics of each sector and serve as guidelines to ensure employee safety and service continuity during heavy rains, localized rains, torrential downpours, or cyclone alerts. Minister Mohamed also reminded that under Article 52 of the Workers’ Rights Act 2019, an employer cannot require an employee to report to work or continue working in extreme weather conditions when a lockdown order is issued by the National Crisis Committee or a state of disaster is declared. During the Employment and Labor Conference held last September by the Ministry of Labor, social partners agreed to apply the same regime to workers in both the public and private sectors, thus ensuring employee safety and life without disparity. Minister Shakeel Mohamed, speaking on behalf of his colleague Reza Uteem, concluded that the relevant authorities are in the process of drafting a unified national protocol, and necessary amendments will be made to the Workers’ Rights Act 2019 to protect all employees equitably.