By Male’ City, Maldives – In a significant move towards enhancing employee welfare, MP Mauroof Zakir of the Kendhoo Constituency has proposed an amendment to the Employment Act to grant two days off per week for resort employees. The proposal was brought up during the debate on the government’s suggested changes to the Employment Act.
Currently, the law mandates only one day off per week, a requirement that some companies and resorts do not consistently meet. MP Mauroof highlighted the importance of this amendment, emphasizing that it addresses a critical need for those working in the tourism sector.
“It is a subject that exists for a very important purpose,” MP Mauroof stated, underscoring the necessity of the change. He pointed out that resort employees often spend extended periods away from their families, residing in small villages or resort areas. To accommodate this, the proposed amendment would not only guarantee two days off per week but also allow for the accumulation of two months and eight days off annually for these employees.
Additionally, MP Mauroof suggested that while employers should retain the ability to combine off days, the law should mandate that off days be accumulated and provided consistently.
The proposed changes aim to improve the work-life balance of resort employees, a vital part of the Maldives’ tourism industry. The amendment, if passed, could set a new standard for employment practices within the country’s resorts.