Parliament receives bill seeking equal Ramadan allowance

The Bill on Amendment to the Employment Act to facilitate equality in the disbursement of Ramadan allowance has been received the parliament.

The bill, submitted on behalf of the government by Dhuvaafaru MP Mohamed Ali, states that every Muslim employee must be assured minimum Ramadan allowance of MVR 3,000.

The Employment Act presently states that one-third of a person’s salary must be paid as Ramadan allowance, prior to the commencement of the month of Ramadan every year.

It adds that if one-third of the salary is less than MVR 2,000, the employee shall be paid MVR 2,000; and if one-third of the salary is higher than MVR 10,000, the employee shall be paid MVR 10,000.

Presenting the bill, Mohamed Ali said that there should not be any discrimination in Ramadan allowance based on salaries.

Earlier, Chairman of Public Accounts Committee and Vilimalé MP Ahmed Nihan Hussain Manik said that everyone should receive MVR 3,000 as minimum Ramadan allowance, and President Abdulla Yameen does not have any objections to ensuring equal Ramadan allowance for all citizens.

Minister of Finance Abdulla Jihad has said that the amendment will be implemented this year if the bill is passed before Ramadan.