The Ministry of Economic Development has approved a total of MVR 120 million to be disbursed as income support allowances under the government’s stimulus package for individuals and households affected by the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

Speaking on RaajjeTV’s ‘Fala Surukhee’ programme, the ministry’s Consultant and Project Director of Income Support Project, Shuhad Ibrahim revealed that the amount is for 28,000 applications.

MVR 120 million is approved as allowances dated between April and September.

Highlighting that this is about 10,700 individuals, Shuhad stated that 23-25 percent of the applicants approved for income support allowances, comprise of women.

Statistics reveal that a majority of the applicants were employed in the tourism industry and the total amount approved for these applicants reach MVR 60 million.

This is 49 percent of the approved amount in total.

Other sectors include agriculture and fishing, said Shuhad.

Statistics further reveal that the ministry had approved up to MVR 15 – 16 million under stimulus packages, for the months between April to June. Over MVR 30 million was approved monthly, from July to September as well.

The ministry has observed a major surge in the number of applications for the stimulus package and it is anticipated to have been caused by the assistance being provided by media, councils and different organizations.

Very recently, the regulations for the stimulus package were amended in a way that will pave way for more applicants through the Job Center, online.

Introduced under the government’s economic relief package following the impacts of the 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. Those who have been terminated, put on no-pay leave or suspended from their jobs are eligible for the allowance. This includes individuals in probation and temporary positions, these individuals will receive an allowance of MVR 5,000 for the nine-month period. Recently, authorities decided to continue issuing income support allowances until the end of the ongoing year.