National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) has revealed that as of Monday, the government has issued MVR 1.9 million as unemployment benefits to the people who lost jobs or income-generating means due to COVID-19 pandemic.
In a news brief held by NEOC on Monday night, the centre's spokesperson Mabrook Azeez the allowance has been paid to 488 people as of Monday.
According to the Economic Ministry, an allowance of MVR 5000 will be paid for three months to Maldivians who have lost employment or means of earning income relating to COVID-19 pandemic. The allowance will be paid to those who were employed as of March 1. It includes temporary employees and employees on probation.
The guideline states that an individual will be eligible for the allowance if the person does not receive more than MVR 5000 from any other source. If the person received an income less than MVR 5000, then the person will be paid the balance figure after deducting the income he/she receives from the other sources.
Numerous people have raised concern after their application for income support allowance was rejected.
Economic Minister Fayyaz Ismail
