President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on Wednesday, 21st September, ratified the seventh amendment to the Maldives Employment Act (2/2008).
The amendment was passed by Maldives parliament on Wednesday, 21st September, at the 16th sitting of the parliament’s third session this year.
The amendment stipulates that the Minister of Economic Development, upon recommendation from the Minimum Wage Advisory Board must announce a date of implementation of minimum wages for expatriate workers. This implementation must reflect the economic situation, self-sufficiency and productivity of the country.
The minimum wage for expatriates have been postponed for an indefinite period, in light current global economic conditions.
The parliament’s social committee report on the amendment bill was passed with 49 of the attending MPs during Wednesday’s session.
Following the postponement of minimum wage for expatriates, Transparency Maldives expressed strong concerns. According to the organization, this delay for foreign workers in the Maldives will pose difficult economic conditions for them, as well as catalyze unemployment rates.
However, the move for the postponement was endorsed by Minister of Economic Development Fayyaz Ismail, who claims minimum wage implementation for expatriates in current conditions will likely cripple the local economy.