Parliament to vote on equal Ramadan allowance bill today

The parliament is scheduled to vote on the Bill on Amendment to the Employment Act seeking a more equal provision of Ramadan allowance to all citizens, at 1:30 p.m. today.

The bill, which states that all citizens should receive a minimum Ramadan allowance of MVR 3,000, was submitted to the parliament on behalf of the government by Dhuvaafaru MP Mohamed Ali.

It also states that it is optional to pay Ramadan allowance to foreign employees.

The bill was passed by the committee and sent to the parliament on Monday night.

The committee also passed to allow a period of one year to private companies prior to the implementation of the amendment.

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

Ramadan is expected to begin this year on 18 June.