Maldives allows remote work for parents of children with disabilities

MALE, Maldives (MNTV) — Maldives has amended its civil service regulations to allow parents and guardians of persons with disabilities to work remotely, in a move aimed at supporting public sector employees with caregiving responsibilities.

The Civil Service Commission (CSC), the independent body that oversees government employment in the Indian Ocean archipelago, announced that the revised rules will take effect on March 1.

The change follows a commitment made by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu during his annual Presidential Address, where he pledged greater institutional support for civil servants balancing professional duties with family caregiving obligations. The administration has framed the reform as part of broader efforts to modernize workplace policies and expand social protections.

Under the amended regulation, parents or legal guardians of individuals with disabilities who require daily assistance will be permitted to perform their official duties from home, without the requirement to physically report to government offices.

To qualify, employees must submit medical certification from a licensed healthcare provider confirming that the person under their care requires either “substantial” or “moderate” support in activities of daily living — a term used in disability policy to describe essential tasks such as eating, mobility, personal hygiene and communication.

The regulation introduces a three-tier eligibility framework based on the level of assistance required. Full remote work privileges are granted to those caring for individuals who need near-constant support. In cases involving moderate assistance needs, alternative flexible arrangements may apply.

In addition to remote work provisions, the amendment introduces a one-hour “buffer time” mechanism. Eligible employees may arrive at their workplace up to one hour after scheduled office hours to accommodate unexpected caregiving needs, with corresponding adjustments made to their working hours.

The Commission said remote work arrangements must be approved only after confirming that the employee’s responsibilities can be effectively performed outside the office and that an appropriate home working environment is in place.

The policy reflects a gradual shift in the Maldives’ public sector employment framework, which has traditionally emphasized physical presence in government offices. It also aligns with global trends accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic, when remote work became more widely adopted across both public and private sectors.

Maldives has expanded disability-related support measures in recent years, though caregivers have often cited challenges in balancing employment with full-time care. The new regulation marks one of the first formal adjustments within the country’s civil service system specifically addressing those constraints.