Sheesha reviews decision to withhold employees' Ramadan allowances

Sheesha Private Limited has revised its decision to not give Ramadan allowance to its employees.

In a statement released on Saturday, the country’s largest motorcycle distributor said that it has revised its decision and will now be paying the full MVR 3,000 Ramadan allowance to each of its employees.

While its decision to cut the allowance has garnered public criticism, Sheesha in its statement apologized for the previous decision.

However, it noted that it had felt that this decision had been necessary “due to the adverse business conditions”.

Further noting that the ongoing Covid-19 crisis has forced the company to adjust its work schedule and salary structures.

It said that despite the reduced work hours since March 21, that all employees “were informed via memos that they would receive their full salary packages for the last month” and added that this decision “has not changed”.

The statement also highlighted that all its expatriate workers “will continue to be provided food, lodging and utilities indefinitely until they are able to return home or resume work”.

Furthermore, Sheesha said that the reduced operational hours had left its employees “with no responsibilities to fulfill” and added that it had to make the “difficult” decision of placing some employees on no-pay leave following the complete lockdown announced in the capital. Those on no-pay leave will receive the Ramadan allowance.

The company also said that “employee welfare has always been one of our foremost priorities”.