Equal Ramadan allowance bill passed

The Bill on Amendment to the Employment Act seeking more equal provision of Ramadan allowance to all citizens, has been passed by the parliament.

The bill, submitted to the parliament on behalf of the government by Dhuvaafaru MP Mohamed Ali, was passed with 60 votes in favour.

The bill states that all government employees should be given a minimum Ramadan allowance of MVR 3,000.

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.