The Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM) has ordered the Labour Relations Authority to look into the employment dismissals of individuals in connection to the Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak.

Sharing the updates of their efforts against the pandemic, HRCM revealed that they have received information of several privately-run companies sacking their employees or putting them on no-pay leave due to the outbreak.

The commission added that they have gathered all the required information from the said companies and brought the matter to the Labour Relations Authority’s attention, ordering the authority to look into these dismissals.

Further, the matter has also been brought to the attention of the ministries of tourism and economic development.

Although the economic growth of the island nation has taken a direct hit, especially affecting the tourism industry, companies have been urged by relevant authorities to stop dismissing their employees, with the Tourism Ministry even having warned these companies of measures if this continues.

At a time companies are facing financial losses due to the pandemic, the government has introduced a loan scheme which aims to provide assistance for companies facing a downward spiral and will be offered to them on the condition that they do not dismiss their employees.

The government has also reached the decision to not extend support and assistance for companies that sack employees, put them on no-pay leave or deduct employees’ wages.