Fayyaz: Will discuss to increase civil servants’ working hours to eight hours

Economic Minister Fayyaz Ismail has revealed that increasing the working hours of civil servants to eight hours is under consideration – adding that the matter will be discussed with the relevant authorities.

Speaking at the ceremony held to declare minimum wage for the first time in the Maldives – Minister Fayyaz said that the Minimum Wage Board had also recommended that the working hours of civil servants be increased.

“There is huge disparity compared to the private sector. With this in mind as well as to improve the services rendered to the people – Minimum Wage Advisory Board has recommended increasing working hours to eight hours similar to the private sector,” he had said.

Civil servants currently work for six hours per day.

Prior to the declaration of minimum wage – civil servants were paid MVR 5,300 as the lowest wage. The declaration of minimum wage has added MVR 2,000 to this – which means they will be entitled to a pay of MVR 7,000.

The minimum wage has been set as follows for the private sector: 

• Small businesses: MVR 21.63hourly rate, MVR 4,500 monthly wage 
• Medium businesses: MVR 33.65 hourly rate, MVR 7,000 monthly wage 
• Large businesses: MVR 38.46 hourly rate, MVR 8,000 monthly wage 

Following the declaration of minimum wage – Minister Fayyaz said that it will bring about positive changes. 

“I believe the minimum wage rates declared today are good, given the current situation. I believe these are reasonable rates which will bring about positive changes to employees, and benefit businesses in the long run,” he had said.