President expresses gratitude and welcome as 3 key initiatives begin

Today, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu expressed his gratitude and welcomed all parties who collaborated on, and will benefit from, the launch of three significant new government initiatives.

Starting today, the government has begun implementing three key policies:

1.      The "Generational Ban" on tobacco, which prohibits the sale of tobacco products to all Maldivians born in 2007 and later.

2.      The commencement of Gulper Shark Fishing, authorized under a new management plan.

3.      The harmonization and upward revision of the salaries (Pay Harmonization) for Civil Service staff (including Council employees) and Judiciary staff.

The President offered thanks to all parties who worked and collaborated to make these three initiatives a reality, and he welcomed those who stand to gain from them.

The "Generational Ban," the most significant measure taken by the Maldives against tobacco use to date, takes effect today. Following an amendment to the Tobacco Control Act passed last May, it is now prohibited to sell tobacco products to any individual born in or after the year 2007.

Under amendments made late last year, the minimum legal age to sell tobacco products was also raised from 18 to 21 years. Furthermore, if the age of a buyer is in doubt, vendors are required to confirm the age before selling tobacco products.

The government’s decision to increase the salaries of Civil Service and Judiciary staff will affect employees across eight distinct sectors.

These sectors include Business and Administrative Services, Educational Services, Health Services, Information and Communications Technology Services, Legal, Culture and Social Services, Protective Services, Science and Built Environment Services, and Secretarial, Skilled and Elementary Services.

The Finance Ministry states that salaries and allowances within the Pay Framework are determined based on factors like the expertise required, the workload, and the work environment for that particular profession. Employees in these sectors will receive their salary for the current month under this new structure.

In addition, the authorization of spinner shark fishing under a new set of regulations has also been implemented starting today.

The third amendment to the "General Regulations of Maldivian Fisheries" introduced changes to the list of species prohibited from capture, use, possession, or killing within Maldivian waters.

The latest amendment states that all shark species except for spinner sharks remain prohibited. Consequently, the Ministry of Fisheries has publicly released the Regulation on Planning, Implementing, and Monitoring Spinner Shark Fishing, as well as a new National Plan for Managing Spinner Shark Fisheries.

According to this plan, engagement in spinner shark fishing and trade requires a license issued by the Ministry. A maximum of 40 vessel licenses will be issued. Should more parties apply, they will be registered and prioritized based on the order in which their applications were submitted.

Shark fishing was previously conducted extensively in the Maldives, but it was banned starting in 2010 during the administration of former President Mohamed Nasheed. The re-authorization of spinner shark fishing comes despite calls from both local and international organizations to maintain the ban.