The People’s Majlis on Sunday, March 8, passed an amendment to the Employment Act, exempting micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) from paying the quota fees required when recruiting foreign workers to the Maldives.
The bill, submitted on behalf of the government by Madaveli MP, Mohamed Shameez, was passed unanimously with the consensus of all 62 members present at the sitting.
During the committee stage, no changes were made to the amendment originally proposed on February 17. Under this new provision, the Cabinet is empowered to exempt employers belonging to specific categories of business from paying the quota fee.
Criteria for Granting Exemptions
The amendment outlines several key considerations for granting such exemptions, including:
- Establishing a conducive environment for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises
- Expanding the role of these businesses within the economy and increasing employment opportunities
- Narrowing the gap between large-scale corporations and small businesses
- Fostering competitiveness and encouraging the introduction of innovative products and services
In addition to this amendment, Parliament also approved several other significant changes to the Employment Act proposed by the government during Sunday’s sitting. These include adjustments to the notice periods required when terminating employees.
Furthermore, a new benefit for civil servants was passed, allowing employees who have recently had children take two 30-minute breaks daily without any salary deductions for a period of two years.