Over MVR 421 million has been disbursed as income support for those whose employment status had changed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The government has been issuing an income support allowance of MVR 5,000 per month under its Economic Relief Package for those whose employment was affected due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A large number of people whose livelihood had been affected due to the pandemic requested the government for financial assistance when the income support program was announced.
Statistics released by the Finance Ministry show MVR 421 million has been issued as income support to 22,945 people over several rounds.
While a large number of locals are facing job loss due to the global pandemic, a study conducted by UNDP and the Economic Ministry found that the employment status of over 45,000 people was affected in the Maldives as a result of the global pandemic. According to the Tourism Employment Association, over 11,000 people working in the tourism ministry have been put on ‘no pay’ leaves. A second study conducted by the Maldives National University shows that the employment status of 5 out of every 10 people has been affected.
