Resort workers, unhappy with minimum wage, stage strike

Employees of several resorts staged strikes on Tuesday, voicing unhappiness over the minimum wage declared for tourism sector. 

Minimum Wage Board had recommended for the minimum wage for large businesses – which resorts fall into – to be set at MVR 42.79 per hour - which amounts to MVR 8,900 pr month. 

However, the figure was reduced to MVR 38.46 per hour – which amounts to MVR 8,000 per month – when the final figures were signed off on Monday. 

The reduction was met with immediate protest from resort employees. 

Resort Workers Maldives has shared pictures and videos of strikes held in several resorts. Employees have been pictured holding up signs which accuse the government of stealing from resort employees. 

Economic Minister Fayyaz Ismail, at the ceremony to declare the minimum wage on Monday, said that the recommendations of the Minimum Wage Board had been sound, but the Maldivian government was unable to set the minimum wage at the recommended rates due to the economic implications of the COVID-19 pandemic.   

He said that resort workers were expected to paid MVR 12,000 per month once service charge is added on top of the minimum wage. 

However, resort employees argue that most of the resorts do not provide service charge in accordance with regulations.