MP calls for parliamentary inquiry into mass dismissal of resort workers

MP for Hoarafushi Constituency, Ahmed Saleem has called on the parliament's Committee on Economic Affairs to launch an inquiry into the dismissals, wage alterations and no pay leaves imposed on resort workers.

Saleem made the appeal during the debate for the motion submitted by main-ruling Maldivian Democratic Party's (MDP) parliamentary group leader and MP for Central Henveyru, Ali Azim. The motion, seeking to amend the government's Covid-19 economic stimulus package, was submitted under article 179(a) of the parliament's Rules of Procedure.

While speaking during the debate, Saleem raised concerns over reports of dismissals, wage alterations and no pay leaves imposed on resort workers. Relevant bodies have revealed that 38 resorts have issued pay cuts while over 11,000 employees have been released under no-pay leave, said Saleem. Highlighting that there are at least 20,000 resort workers in the country, Saleem noted that approximately 100,000 people of the country's population will indirectly suffer the negative consequences of this action.

With the tourism sector coming to an abrupt halt, all those depending on tourism have lost their main source of income, said Saleem, adding that this is proof that the Maldives cannot depend solely on tourism.

He noted that this includes airport representatives, launch drivers and crew, fisherman selling products to resorts, in addition to guest house owners and workers.

While travel was restricted between resorts and inhabited islands on March 27th, the number of tourists at resorts have also decreased significantly. Due to the economic downturn facing the country's tourism, the government has determined to introduce an MVR 2.5 billion economic stimulus package.

The government has also made loan deferment arrangements as economic relief for those financially affected by the pandemic. Further, civil servants will not face pay cuts and will receive Ramadan allowance as well, while 20% is set to cut from wages of elected officials.

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has stated that there are two methods to deal with the ongoing public health crisis. The first is to enforcing the rule of staying home, limiting the number of employees, reducing wages and halting all economic activities. The second method is to circulate money within the economy, even if it requires taking loans, and recovering the damage to the economy. The President stated that his vision consists of continuing with economic activities, even if it requires taking loans. He also stated that tourist arrivals will increase in the last quarter of 2020 and the first quarter of 2021, adding that tourism will grow during this period.