Parliamentary Group Leader of ruling People's National Congress (PNC) Ibrahim Falah stated today that even if he criticized Kendhoo constituency MP and Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) member Mauroof Zakir's bill where resorts will be required to pay service charges to resort employees via the currency they initially obtained, with service charge payments in MVR to be halted, the bill will be accepted, amended and passed.
During the Parliament session held today to debate the bill proposed by Mauroof in amending the Employment Act, PNC members in Parliament, of which there is a super majority, expressed heavy criticism during the debate.
Inguraidhoo constituency MP and PNC Parliamentary Group Leader Falah spoke on the bill twice but had criticized it as well. However, while concluding his speech the second time around, he said that the bill will be accepted by the Parliament, amended and passed.
"Regardless, we will accept this amendment to Parliament. It is what our President wants for resort employees and their rights. The amendment will be accepted into Parliament, sent to the committee stage, hold lengthy discussions during the committee stage with resort owners, tourism employees and everyone else, bring about any amendments if need be that will benefit resort owners and employees the most," said Falah.
During the first debate of the bill, Falah said that while the bill states that resort employees are to be paid in the currency that is given by tourists, then by that logic, as Yellowfin Tuna is exported in USD, fishermen should be paid in USD as well.
Falah went on to say that related amendments may be proposed for political gain, but when amendments are proposed regarding the tourism industry, amendments should be made to benefit employees, resort owners and the State.
"The tourism industry in Maldives, and those who are working in the tourism industry as a whole, its owners, employees and all industries in Maldives would be affected by any change in the global economy. There are many wars that are ongoing in the world," said Falah.
Falah said that resort owners are those who have invested after taking out some major loans, with them taking some substantial risks as well. And so he said that resort owners and investors should be protected, with benefits to be offered for all.
"Let us say for example that the industry that I am in is the boat building industry. I can submit a bill to Parliament, stating that all employees in the boatbuilding industry should receive a monthly salary of MVR 50,000," said Falah.
There are two main components in the bill submitted by MP Mauroof to amend the Employment Act.
One is to ensure that employees are to have their service charges paid in the currency they initially receive. The other is employees under contract should be given service charges as well.
