About this summary
The 2024 Act and Regulation 2024/R-103 are published in Dhivehi, and we found no official English translation. This explainer summarises the Dhivehi texts in our own words. Rely on the official Dhivehi text for anything legal.
Who the Act applies to
The Workplace Safety and Health Protection Act (Law No. 2/2024) has 76 sections in 10 chapters. It applies to state and private-sector workers, to anyone who gives out work, and to the self-employed (s.3). Where another law conflicts with it on workplace safety and health, the 2024 Act takes priority (s.4). Employers had one year from 2 April 2024 to meet all their obligations (s.74).
Employer duties
Employers must ensure, so far as reasonably practicable, the safety and health of their staff and of others affected by their work (s.26). That includes (s.27):
- safety equipment and protective clothing;
- instruction, training and supervision;
- a written health and safety policy, kept in a language or form foreign employees understand (regulation s.4);
- safeguards on machinery;
- control of hazardous substances;
- emergency procedures.
Employers may not charge workers for safety measures, deduct safety costs from pay, or dismiss workers for reporting to inspectors (s.35). Using an untrained worker on work that requires training is an offence (s.52).
Under the Employment Act, protective equipment, health checks for chemical or biological exposure, first aid and medical care for injured staff are provided free of charge (s.75), and employees may refuse work they reasonably believe is a serious danger to health or life (s.77).
Health and Safety Officers
A workplace with 75 or more employees must have a licensed Health and Safety Officer (Act s.29). The regulation scales the number:
| Employees | Officers |
|---|---|
| 75 to 150 | 1 |
| 151 to 300 | 2 |
| 301 to 500 | 3 |
| 501 to 1,000 | 4 |
| Over 1,000 | At least 5 |
Officers are licensed by the Director General; construction safety is one of the qualifying fields.
Reporting accidents
The person running the workplace must report accidents, dangerous incidents and work-related illness to the Director General or whoever the Director General designates (Act s.43). Under the regulation (s.14), the following must be reported within 1 hour, by the operator or the Health and Safety Officer, on the official form or portal:
- deaths and serious injuries;
- incidents that put life at risk;
- toxic or chemical leaks;
- incidents involving heavy machinery, vehicles, aircraft or vessels;
- occupational illness and work-related communicable disease.
Leave the scene unchanged until inspectors arrive (regulation s.16). Failing to report carries a fine of up to MVR 5,000. The Employment Act's older 48-hour notification rule (s.78) gives way to the 1-hour rule where they conflict.
Worker accommodation
Many construction workers in the Maldives live in employer-provided housing. Regulation 2021/R-15 sets minimum standards, including keeping accommodation on a construction site separate from the work area and at least 1.5 metres away, minimum room sizes, cross-ventilation and adequate lighting.
Penalties
| Breach | Penalty |
|---|---|
| General penalty (s.67) | MVR 1,000 to 25,000, plus up to MVR 5,000 a day while the breach continues and up to MVR 5,000 for each repeat |
| Charging workers for safety, or dismissing them for reporting (s.35) | MVR 10,000 to 25,000 |
| Not reporting an accident (s.43) | Up to MVR 5,000 |
| Using an untrained worker where training is required (s.52) | Up to MVR 5,000 |
Prosecution under the Penal Code remains possible (s.68).
Quick check for your site
- A written health and safety policy, in a language your foreign workers understand.
- Enough licensed Health and Safety Officers for your headcount if you have 75 or more employees.
- Training records for any work that requires training.
- Free protective equipment, first aid and health checks where there is chemical or biological exposure.
- Everyone knows serious accidents are reported within 1 hour and the scene is left untouched.
Sources
- Workplace Safety and Health Protection Act (Law No. 2/2024), Dhivehi consolidated text, Attorney General's Office.
- Workplace Safety and Health Protection Regulation (2024/R-103), Government Gazette.
- Amendment to the regulation (2026/R-68), Government Gazette.
- Employment Act (Law No. 2/2008), English consolidation, Labour Relations Authority.
- Employee accommodation regulation (2021/R-15), Government Gazette.
- Ratification of the Workplace Safety and Health Protection Act, President's Office.
This is practical guidance, not legal advice. Check the current official text and your site's own procedures.
