Sixth Amendment to the Employment Act

The Parliament of Maldives has passed a Bill amending the Employment Act of the Maldives. The Bill, upon ratification by the President, will become the 6th Amendment to the Act and is set to bring significant changes to the current employment laws.With this amendment, the Parliament has passed to implement minimum wages for 9 industries starting from 2021 onward and within these industries, tourism, construction and transport has also been included. A Minimum Wage Board will be composed, who will advise the Minister of Economic Development in determining the minimum wages.Among other changes, the total number of days employees can apply for sick leaves without the requirement to submit a medical certificate has also been decreased from 30 days to 15 days.