Maldives hospitality workers call for minimum wage
Nearly half of all Maldivian hospitality workers have signed a petition calling for a national minimum wage of US$600 for resort workers.
Some 5,300 out of 11,426 Maldivians employed at resorts voted for the move in a petition organised by the Tourism Employees Association of the Maldives (TEAM).
"Only three to seven percent of all tourism revenue is spent on employee wages. The average resort worker only earns US$ 250 per month," said Ahmed Saleem, vice president of TEAM.
"We know how much resorts earn and we know how much taxes resorts pay to the government. We also know how much is paid in wages, and that is very little compared to the rest," added TEAM secretary general Mauroof Zakir.
The petition also urged the government to reduce the quota of foreign workers in the industry to just 20%.
Currently the quota stands at 50% but is not widely enforced at resorts.
Over US$358 million is transferred out of the country as wages for migrant workers annually," said Mauroof.
Deputy tourism minister Hussain Lirar said the petition would be looked at and the Employment Act would need to be amended to enact a national minimum wage.
"The industry consists of a lot of stakeholders, not only TEAM. We will have to hold discussion with all of them before implementing new regulations," he said.
TEAM members plan to hold a rally in the capital Male to garner more support and to present the petition to government officials.
Mauroof also said members could ‘use their constitutional rights to strike as a means of protest’ if their demands are not addressed.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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