Economic Minister Fayyaz Ismail has stated that a minimum wage will be established and publicized before the end of February.
Minister Fayyaz Ismail took to popular social media platform Twitter to announce that the Minimum Wage will be declared before the end of the month. The amount is being established after consultation on the methodology and the amount with the Parliament, and as per the recommendations made by the advisory board established for the purpose, said the minister.
The minister added that while a minimum wage will be established within this month for the first in the Maldives, it is not based on the recent amendment to the Employment Act.
"Insha Allah we will declare the Minimum Wage for the first time in Maldives before end of the month after consultation on the methodology and the amount with the Parliament. The declaration of the Minimum wage for the first time is not related to amendment to the Employment Act," wrote the minister.
While the establishment of a minimum wage is underway, a bill proposing amendments to the Employment Act which empowers the Economic Minister to establish a minimum wage was submitted at the Parliament on Monday.
According to the bill proposed by the government and sponsored by Kendhikulhudhoo MP Ahmed Easa, it is mandatory for the government to establish a minimum wage. However, the bill does not call to impose specific amounts as minimum wage.
The bill further states that the minimum wage will be decided by the Economic Minister based on the recommendation made by the advisory board established to provide counsel on the matter. The bill stipulates the formation of the advisory board within 30 days of the ratification of the bill.
The bill proposes to have seven key industries assessed separately, and for the advisory board to recommend a minimum wage for each sector. The industries are the fishing and agriculture industries in addition to tourism, construction, transportation, health, education industries and SMEs.
The establishment of a minimum wage is an electoral pledge of the president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. An advisory board was formed by Economic Ministry to research and advise the minister on establishing a minimum wage and their work is currently ongoing. The board's initial report was earlier discussed in the cabinet.
Minister Fayyaz Ismail
