Minister of Economic Development Fayyaz Ismail announced on Tuesday that the minimum wage will be determined for the first time in Maldives by the end of this month.
Noting that the declaration of the minimum wage is "not related to the amendment to the Employment Act", Fayyaz tweeted that the wage will be determined after consultation with the parliament on the methodology and amount.
Insha Allah we will declare the Minimum Wage for the first time in Maldives before end of the month after consultation on the methodology and the amount with the Parliament. The declaration of the Minimum wage for the first time is not related to amendment to the Employment Act
— Fayyaz Ismail (@faya_i) February 11, 2020
Kendhikulhudhoo MP Ahmed Eesa, on Sunday, proposed an amendment to the Employment Act, on behalf of the state, to grant the power of allocating a minimum wage to the economic minister.
According to the amendment, a committee by the name of 'Minimum Wage Advisory Board' will be established to provide counsel to the minister on determining the minimum wage.
The board is mandated to research and present their findings to the minister on policies related to the minimum wage. The board will also revise the wage amount every two years and advise for changes if necessary.
Moreover, the bill states that the board can revise the minimum wage amount before the two-year period is up, in case of an economic emergency.
As of now, the first sectors shortlisted for the minimum wage are tourism, construction, fisheries, agriculture, education, and small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
Top officials of relevant authorities held discussions on the minimum wage on January 27. The discussions mainly focused on the estimated consequences on different sectors due to the implementation of a minimum wage.
The state had formerly estimated that the minimum wage amount will be decided at the beginning of 2020.
Sign In