MVR 27.2 million issued as income support allowance

The Ministry of Finance has reveled that a total of MVR 27.2 million has been disbursed as income support allowances thus far.

As such, the ministry noted that the allowances were issued to a total of 6,638 individuals.

Introduced under the government’s economic relief package following the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, the income support allowance is being issued since May 20 and a monthly income of MVR 5,000 is provided under specific conditions.

The goal of the economic relief package was to ensure job continuity for Maldivians, at a time large-scale terminations and wage cuts have taken place. Following this, the Job Center established by the Economic Ministry has been receiving several complaints.

The criteria notes that individuals who have been terminated, put on no-pay leave or suspended from their jobs are eligible for the allowance as well as anyone who was employed before March 1, whether they had an employment agreement or not.

This includes individuals in probation and temporary positions, these individuals will receive an allowance of MVR 5,000 for the three-month period.

A total of MVR 15,000 is awarded under the three-month allowance, between April to June. It aims to provide financial assistance to those who have had their lives and income affected by the pandemic and are unable to meet essential needs such as settling rent payments and others.

Eligible individuals are to receive the income support allowance monthly, before the 15th day and applicants must be aged between 18 and 65 years and employed in the Maldives by March 1.

The regulations under the income support allowance state that criminal action will be taken against individuals who provide false information when applying.