The Job Centre has revealed that over USD584,000 has been disbursed so far under its programme to assist self-employed workers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Speaking to PSM News, Project Coordinator Fathimath Meeshan Ismail said that 250 self-employed workers have been assisted so far under the programme and that 78% are women. She added that 200 applications are being processed.
The Job Centre launched the Self-Employed Support Programme to provide financial and technical assistance to self-employed workers whose livelihoods were affected due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Job Centre has again opened the opportunity for 500 self-employed individuals, including freelance and home-based workers, to apply for financial assistance. They are encouraged to apply under the category of handicraft, beauty and makeup, photography and videography, tailoring and garment production, information and communication technology, creative arts and music, or sports and fitness. Eligible applicants will receive up to USD4,000. A condition for receiving the assistance is the completion of a training programme conducted by the Ministry of Economic Development.
Applicants are required to be Maldivian nationals between 18-65 years of age with a Maldivian Rufiyyaa bank account under their own names. They are also required to have been earning an income from self-employment for one year and not be employed in the past four weeks or, if employed, worked no more than 20 hours per week. Applicants should be submitted online through the Job Centre portal by May 31.