MHPU: Last 10 days allowance a step forward in ensuring rights of health professionals

Maldives Health Professional Union (MHPU) has described the government’s decision to pay a special allowance to government employees who are required to work during the last 10 days of Ramadan as a step forward in guaranteeing the rights of health professionals.

MHPU, via a post on X on Thursday, underscored that health professionals make huge sacrifices to provide an essential service to the public, often putting aside their families and themselves.

As such, MHPU called on the relevant authorities to ensure their basic human rights and employee rights.

The Union affirmed that it will not hesitate to advocate for the rights of all health professionals working in the Maldives. They also called upon all health professionals to work alongside the Union to ensure their rights.

Government offices closed for the last 10 days of Ramadan this year on Wednesday.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu announced that all government employees who are required to work during the period will be paid an attendance benefit.

The national pay framework has been revised following the decision.

As per the amendment, which was published by the National Pay Commission on Thursday, employees who are required to report to work to provide essential public services starting from the 20th to the end of Ramadan are entitled to attendance benefit.

It states that during this period, the employees must be paid attendance benefit even for days they do not physically attend the office, except for Fridays and Saturdays.

Additionally, the period must be treated as “official public holidays” as defined under the Employment Act, and the government employees must be paid an allowance equivalent to half of the daily pay given for working during public holidays as stated under Article 38 of the Employment Act.

Meanwhile, overtime pay must be calculated based on the official public holiday rate.