President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has said that he intends to negotiate a two-day leave and a reduction of working hours from 48 to 40 hours per week for tourism workers. The second term hopeful, while highlighting that tourism employees play a vital role in the nation, spoke about the possibility of engaging resort owners on these issues during a campaign event for the second round runoff of the presidential elections.
Solih said that he had met with senior tourism executives and that employees of the sector were breadwinners for many families and had plenty to contribute in terms of identifying successes and highlighting areas for improvement.
The current minimum wage and overtime allowance were points of satisfaction for the employees, Solih said. He stated that he had received counsel to appoint an advisory committee comprising top tourism executives to the Ministry of Tourism and confirmed his intent to make this committee a reality.
To address the issue of less locals in senior positions in resorts, a scholarship scheme will be established to provide training up to the level of general managers, Solih said.
Malé Mayor Mohamed Muizzu, the Progressive Party of the Maldives endorsed People’s National Congress (PPM/PNC) candidate, and incumbent President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) candidate, having garnered the most votes in the first round with 46 percent and 39 percent respectively, will compete for the nation’s top job in the second round run-off of the presidential elections on Saturday, 30 September.