Volume 11, number 2, December 2023
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Item A systematic review of Maldivian national laws to combat workplace bullying(ރިސާރޗް ޑެވެލޮޕްމަންޓް އޮފީސް، ދިވެހިރާއްޖޭގެ ޤައުމީ ޔުނިވަރސިޓީ, 2023-12) Aishath Leeza; Shamala Kumar; އާއިޝަތު ލީޒާ; ޝަމާލާ ކުމާރްBullying has been identified as a leading workplace stressor because of its debilitating effects on individuals, groups, and organizations. A vast literature explores the nature and consequences of workplace bullying and highlights the need for employee protection through laws and policies. While some organizations have policies on workplace bullying and certain laws can be applied to address it, few employees use these mechanisms to seek redress. This systematic review evaluates the complaint procedures, protection, prevention, and effectiveness of current laws and policies on workplace bullying in the Maldivian context. The paper also examines why legal recourse is rarely sought. A systematic analysis, supplemented with five semi-structured interviews of key informants (employment tribunal members, lawyers, a court judge, and a registrar), was conducted to gain an in-depth understanding of the situation in the Maldives. The analysis reveals that the Maldivian legal system has gaps that provide little or no protection from workplace bullying. The current legislative and regulatory framework does not adequately address the power employers can exert in certain types of bullying and primarily focuses on sexual harassment. The Maldivian Constitution, which guarantees fundamental rights and freedoms in Chapter II (Arts.16-69), is vague regarding bullying. This study acknowledges that workplace bullying policies are only one type of intervention, and additional preventive measures are needed to address bullying in workplaces.Item Systematic review : vitamin D deficiency in women and correlation with lifestyle for women : a focus on Asian women(Research Development Office, The Maldives National University, 2023-12) Un Naher, Zeba; Huda, Aminath; Subbaram, Kannan; Manandhar, Punya Laxmi; Parveen, K M Huria; ޒީބާ އުން ނެހަރް; އާމިނަތު ހުދާ; ކައްނަން ސުއްބަރަމް; ޕުންޔާ ލަކްސްމީ މަނަންދަރް; ކ މ ހުރިއާ ޕަރްވީންInadequate vitamin D levels are a worldwide health problem that threatens not just bone health but also other aspects of human wellness. Because Asian women are a distinct demographic shaped by culture, location, and personal decisions, this systematic review explores the nuanced connection between lifestyle variables and vitamin D insufficiency in this population. The study’s primary aim is to answer three research questions about deficiencies: (1) the lifestyle factors that contribute to them, (2) the effects on health as a whole, and (3) the most effective interventions and remedies. The results show that vitamin D insufficiency in Asian women is highly influenced by clothing choices, occupational limits, and regional differences in sun exposure. The deficiency, in turn, is shown in the literature, to be associated with diverse health consequences, including infertility, metabolic syndrome, and pregnancy-related complications. To mitigate deficiency, culturally sensitive interventions are essential. Optimizing safe sun exposure, dietary modifications, supplementation, education, and specialized prenatal care offer promising strategies. Healthcare providers and policymakers must collaborate to develop comprehensive, culturally tailored approaches to address vitamin D deficiency among Asian women, ultimately enhancing their health and quality of life. This systematic review contributes critical insights into a multifaceted health issue and emphasizes the importance of personalized interventions within this specific demographic.Item Unravelling the forces behind language endangerment : an overview of Dhivehi language loss and preservation strategies(ރިސާރޗް ޑެވެލޮޕްމަންޓް އޮފީސް، ދިވެހިރާއްޖޭގެ ޤައުމީ ޔުނިވަރސިޓީ , 2023-12) Riyaz, Aminath; Zahir, Aminath; Ibrahim, Zulfa; އާނިމަތު ރިޔާޒް; އާމިނަތު ޒާހިރު; ޒުލްފާ އިބްރާހީމްThe article aims to provide a theoretical examination of the causes of language loss and propose measures for the preservation of the Dhivehi language. Language serves as a repository for culture, identity, and collective memory intricately tied to the way of life, history, and values of a populace. The unreadable loamaafaanu (copper plate documents) of Maldives’ history, currently understood only by a few who have learned the script, is an example of the void created by the loss of a language or a dialect. The shift to or adoption of another language, often driven by rapid economic changes fueled by globalization, is a common trend in countries such as the Maldives. Such communities first become bilingual populations, next the use of the mother tongue gradually disappears, and finally the second language begins to prevail. The growing preference for English over Dhivehi suggests a potential halt in Dhivehi transmission within the next few generations. To alter this language shift, it is imperative to elevate the status of the Dhivehi language within the Maldivian community. Drawing on scientific literature, this study identifies five key factors for Dhivehi language preservation: (1) promoting plain Dhivehi usage by minimizing code-mixing or code-switching, (2) shaping educational policies to foster a Dhivehi-speaking environment, (3) implementing the national language policy, (4) providing training in linguistic fundamentals and teaching techniques, and (5) ensuring the sustainable development of Dhivehi reading material. Taking these into context, this study underscores the importance of assessing the current state of the Dhivehi language using the UNESCO framework for identifying language endangerment.Item Validating meyer and allen’s three component model employee commitment survey in the context of the resort sector of the maldives(Zikura International College, 2023-12) Azdha, Aishath., Jusoh, Mazuki and Tham, Jacquline; އައިސަތު އަޒްދާ، ޖަސޯހް މަޒްކީ އަދި ތަމް ޖަކްލިންThis research aims to analyse the validity and reliability of the Three- Component Model (TCM) Employee Commitment Survey and discover the components of Organisational Commitment (OC) in the context of the Maldives resort sector. This research used the revised version of the TCM by Meyer et al. (1993). The literature reports many issues related to its theory and construct validity. The fact that TCM was developed in Western culture and lacks validation in the Maldivian context reveals the necessity to conduct this study. Towards this, the current study employed 250 employees from the resorts of the Maldives. The results of CFA revealed affective commitment is the only component that constitutes OC. This study contributes to the body of knowledge in OC from different cultural perspectivesItem Workforce localization in the resort sector of the Maldives(Research Development Office, The Maldives National University, 2023) Shiyar, Ismail; Adnan, Hashma; Mukhtar, Aminath Afrah; Naseer, Hussain; Sabah, Hussain; Shirmeen, Aishath; Solih, Zeenath; Rasheed, Mohamed Shafy; އިސްމާއިލް ޝިޔާރް; ހަޝްމާ އަދުނާން; އާމިނަތު އަފްރާހު މުޚްތަރު; ހުސެއިން ނަސީރު; ހުސެއިން ޞަބާހު; އާއިޝަތު ޝިރްމީން; ޒީނަތު ޞޯލިހު; މުހައްމަދު ޝަފީ ރަޝީދުThe resort sector of the Maldives has played a vital role in the development of the Maldives, influencing the economy, culture, environment, society, and governance. The resort sector is predominantly staffed by expatriate workers. Therefore, achieving the proper equilibrium between local and expatriate forces with a priority on increasing local employment opportunities is vital. Creating relevant and proactive policies and action plans to build human capital is essential. This study aims to evaluate the current challenges concerned with workforce localisation in the resort sector of the Maldives. This research adopts an exploratory case study approach with the target population being the managers and human resource managers of resorts in the Maldives. The sample population was selected using non-probability purposive sampling. Data was collected using semi structured, open-ended interviews with 12 participants. The interviews were transcribed and coded, and themes were generated using content analysis. The overarching themes indicate the need for national-level strategies and collective effort from the industry, the regulatory authorities, and educational institutions. The key findings suggest conflicting opinions on striking a balance between expatriate and local workers. The challenge lies in attracting the required workforce from the local population, leading to a reliance on expatriates. The lack of local skills, experience and qualifications adds to the burden of local recruitment. However, findings indicate that areas and roles in the resort sector can be easily localised, thus benefiting the local population. Currently, the government and the resort sector facilitate local development by aiming to close the linguistic proficiency gap, internships, and graduate management programs. The research findings highlight the importance of creating job value, combatting misconceptions and stereotyping, cultivating a work-oriented mindset, and having an inclusive policy paving part-time employment for students. Furthermore, career counselling, real-world learning experiences and training facilities are integral to the success of workforce localisation in the Maldives.