CSR in the Maldives

History of CSR:

  • CSR is not a highly developed concept in the Maldives.
  • The concept is often reduced to acts of philanthropy.
  • A majority of companies do not have CSR strategies.
  • The main promoters of CSR in the Maldives are the businesses themselves.
    • CSR involvement is relatively high in the tourism sector.
  • The government has no CSR policy or body to deal with it.
  • Although a number of laws govern CSR in the Maldives, implementation of these laws is poor.

Legal framework and Initiatives:

  1. Child Labour & Forced Labour
    The Maldives government ratified the convention on the Rights of the Child in 1991.The Employment Act also specifically prohibits forced labour, discrimination at work place, and child labour.
  2. Labour Law
    The Employment Act (2008) gave clear definitions and guides to labour rights and duties. Pursuant to this Act, the Labour Tribunal was established to examine and arbitrate legal matters arising in the work environment. The Act has increased the awareness of legal rights of employees.
  3. Corruption
    Corruption eradication is one of the key aims of the government, with the anti-corruption commission first being established in 1991. Subsequent legislation, such as the Audit Act (2007) and the Presidential Commission established in 2009, have strengthened the government’s stance against corruption.
  4. Environment
    Most CSR-related laws and initiatives in relation to the environment are aimed at the tourism sector. Laws including the Tourism Act (1999), and the Environment Protection and Preservation Act (1993), govern the tourism industry and enforce CSR to this extent.
  5. CSR Law
    There is no current CSR law in the Maldives.

Key partners:

Companies are the main supporters of CSR in the Maldives, and may provide useful insights to the state of common practices that inhibit the growth of CSR.

Examples include Kurumba, Shangri La and other tourism or hospitality related companies invested in the Maldives.

Good practice:

Kurumba:

Since Kurumba’s opening in 1972, many CSR-related activities have been established. Some examples include:

  • The first catering school in the Maldives in 1980, for training Universal employees.
  • Hosting events that raise money for the disadvantaged
  • Supporting the development of recycling centres.

Latest news on CSR:

https://www.euromoney.com/article/b14qq2dslcm1zd/climate-change-mixed-messages-on-the-maldives-waterfront

 

References:

http://www.mv.undp.org/content/dam/maldives/docs/Policy%20and%20Inclusive%20Growth/CSR.pdf?download

http://www.kurumba.com/maldives-csr-activities

http://hdr.undp.org/en/countries/profiles/MDV

https://www.socialprogressindex.com/?code=MDV

http://hdr.undp.org/en/content/income-gini-coefficient

 

Author: GEN