MHPU Welcomes Allowance for Gov’t Employees Working During Ramadan
Photo: MV+
The Maldives Health Professionals Union (MHPU) has described the government’s decision to provide a special allowance for government employees required to work during the last 10 days of Ramadan as a positive step towards ensuring the rights of health professionals.
In a statement on X on Thursday, MHPU highlighted the significant sacrifices made by health professionals in delivering essential public services, often prioritising their duties over personal and family commitments.
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The Union called on the relevant authorities to safeguard the fundamental human and employment rights of health professionals. It also reaffirmed its commitment to advocating for their rights and urged all health professionals in the Maldives to collaborate with the Union in this effort.
Government offices closed for the last 10 days of Ramadan on Wednesday. President Dr Mohamed Muizzu announced that all government employees required to work during this period would receive an attendance benefit.
Following this decision, the National Pay Commission revised the national pay framework. According to the amendment, which was published on Thursday, employees required to provide essential public services from the 20th of Ramadan until the end of the month will be entitled to an attendance benefit.
The revised framework stipulates that employees must receive the allowance even on days they do not physically attend work, except for Fridays and Saturdays. Additionally, this period must be treated as “official public holidays” under the Employment Act, entitling employees to an allowance equivalent to half of the daily pay for public holiday work, as outlined in Article 38 of the Act.
Overtime pay for employees working during this period must also be calculated based on the official public holiday rate.
