Minister of Finance Ibrahim Ameer stated on Tuesday that minimum wage should be set after the country recovers from the economic recession caused by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Speaking at the Parliament's Economic Affairs Committee, Minister Ameer stated that it is not advisable to determine a minimum wage until the situation is restored to what it was in January this year, adding that the economy is estimated to make a turnaround by 2022.
The minister added that setting a minimum wage amidst the current economic context will overburden the state budget and expenditure on salaries.
Responding to a question posed by the Parliament Representative for Fuvahmulah North Constituency MP Mohamed Rasheed regarding the implications of a minimum wage on the state budget, Minister Ameer said that the state expenditure on civil servants' salaries would increase by at least MVR 3.7 billion.
He added that the budget will be further strained by the increase in spending on salaries for state-run companies, but noted that the final value is yet to be determined as the government does not have to pump funds to some of these companies.
"However, with our current situation, there will be challenges in managing the cash flow for most companies", he added.
Taking Maldives Airports Company Ltd (MACL) as an example, Ameer admitted it was now difficult to manage cash flow for the company, although, under normal circumstances, MACL generates the highest profit in the country.
The Finance Minister also noted that it would be extremely difficult for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to pay their employees the minimum wage as proposed in the amendment to the Employment Act.
Ameer further expressed his sentiment which was contrary to the opinion of the Minimum Wage Board's proposal. The board had proposed setting the basic salary of employees to meet the minimum wage. However, the minister advised meeting the minimum wage by adding on allowances to the basic salary.
Ameer further cautioned that a minimum wage applicable to foreigners will strain the national reserves.
"Salaries given to foreigners will flow out of the country as remittance. We will lose an additional USD 270 million in that regard. Under current circumstance, we cannot afford USD 270 million from our usable reserve".
In response, Parliament Representative for Maafannu Central Constituency MP Ibrahim Rasheed (Bondey) expressed concern that a minimum wage was especially required at the current time since many employees are working under high-risk conditions. He went on to raise further concerns over several resorts slashing their employees' pay.
"Waiters are working with their lives in their hands. While they are subject to working under such high-risk conditions, some resorts are paying them a wage of only MVR 1,000. This is atrocious. So, now is the time to set the minimum wage", the lawmaker said.
Amendments to the Employment Act proposes a minimum wage between MVR 4,000 and MVR 8,500 for three different categories.
According to the bill, employees in the first category will receive a wage between MVR 8,000 and MVR 8500, while those in the second category are set to receive between MVR 6,000 and MVR 6,500. Employees receiving the lowest wage stand to collect a minimum wage between MVR 4,000 and MVR 4,500.
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