Saeed submits a bill for emergency support to those financially hit by virus outbreak

People’s National Congress (PNC) deputy leader Mohamed Saeed, on Tuesday, submitted a bill to the Parliament designed to provide emergency support to families facing dire circumstances amid the rapid spread of COVID-19 in Maldives.

Saeed, who serves as the parliamentary representative for Maavashu constituency, said that the virus outbreak was heightening the risk of the collapse of businesses and leaving thousands of families in dire circumstances.

His ‘COVID-19 Support Bill’ accommodates for the release of proceeds from the pension fund to entitled parties, cuts on rent rates, and job security to the thousands of resort works who have been laid off.

It also accommodates for the establishment of a payment schedule for tourism lease rent, deferment of student loans, concessions to small and medium enterprises in filing taxes, and concessions to farmers and fishermen.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a drastic impact on the Maldivian economy. And the Maldivian government, in an effort to mitigate the economic impact, has announced an economic stimulus package of MVR 2.5 billion to help revive the economy. It has also secured six-month deferments on student loans and loans issued by the national bank - Bank of Maldives, and announced a three-month MVR 5,000 allowance for people laid off due to the pandemic.