Tourism Employers Association of Maldives (TEAM) has revealed that over 11,000 resort employees are being sent home on no-pay leaves due to the current COVID-19 pandemic.
After a significant decline in tourists arriving in the Maldives due to travel restrictions imposed as measures to stop the spread of COVID-19, a large number of resorts in the Maldives were shut down. The remaining resorts are expected to shut down over the next two weeks with the Maldives government recently suspending the issuance of on-arrival visas.
A post published by the association on their Facebook page revealed the names of resorts that sent home members of the association on no pay leaves, and those that imposed pay cuts.
TEAM said it is regrettable that such a large number of tourism employees have been placed on unpaid leaves, and said it is unacceptable that so many employees are left with no means of income.
Labour Relations Authority of the Maldives has acknowledged that the authority has been notified of several cases where action has been taken by some employers that violate the Employment Act. The authority advised all employers to communicate with the entity before making any decisions related to the employment status of employees, and not to take any action against the Employment Act.
