MP Ibrahim submits letter to Speaker expressing concern over service charge payments being issued in MVR!
28 ސެޕްޓެމްބަރު 2026 | ހޯމަ 09:08Member of Parliament Mohamed Ibrahim has requested to expedite the amendment to the Employment Act, which seeks to mandate the payment of service charges to tourism sector employees in US dollars. In a letter addressed to the Speaker of Parliament, the MP highlighted that while the bill is currently under committee review, urgent action is needed to address the concerns of workers who are currently receiving these payments in Maldivian Rufiyaa.
Member of Parliament for the North Galolhu constituency, Mohamed Ibrahim (Kudu). | Majilis
The Member of Parliament for North Galolhu, Mohamed Ibrahim, has sent a formal letter to the Speaker of the People’s Majlis, Abdul Raheem Abdulla, expressing concern over the payment of service charges in Maldivian Rufiyaa. In his letter, the MP urged the Speaker to expedite the processing of the proposed amendment to the Employment Act to address this issue.
In the letter sent by MP Ibrahim, he highlighted concerns raised by numerous employees in the Maldivian tourism industry. These workers expressed apprehension over potential actions intended to obstruct their right to receive their full entitlement of service charge.
The Employment Act mandates that all businesses operating within the tourism industry must levy a service charge of no less than 10 percent on every service provided. The law further stipulates that the total amount collected as service charge must be distributed equally among employees in the same currency in which it was received. It was also noted that Mauroof Zakir, the Member of Parliament for the Kendhoo constituency, submitted an amendment to the Employment Act on December 9, 2025.
MP Ibrahim stated that the bill's first reading took place in Parliament on February 10, 2026, followed by a floor debate on April 22, 2026. On the same day, the bill was forwarded to the Parliamentary Committee on National Security Services for further review.
In his letter, MP Ibrahim urged the committee to expedite its review of the bill and requested the floor to reach a final decision on the matter as soon as possible.
