Minimum Wage Advisory Board (MWAB) has counselled Minister of Economic Development Fayyaz Ismail to set a minimum wage of 415 US dollars in Maldives.
The minimum wage report drafted by the board has been shared with Minister Fayyaz and the Parliament of Maldives. Speaking with the media, Minister Fayyaz said International Labour Organisation (ILO) recommended to keep the minimum wage in Maldives between 389 US dollars and 421 US dollars. The minister further said the minimum wage must also be affordable to employers as the employment market will be severely affected if the minimum wage is too high.
The board suggested a minimum wage of between 415 US dollars and 518 US dollars for the sectors of construction, tourism, fisheries, agriculture, education and small and medium enterprises.
The administration recently proposed amendments to Employment Act to grant Minister of Economic Development the authority to set minimum wage in Maldives. According to the amendments proposed to the act, the minimum wage policy must include hourly rate, over time pay and other specific pay details. The policy must also include minimum wage for specific sectors and specify the dates of pay.