Ministry of Finance has stated the only pending frontline allowances that have not been disbursed are the allowances for frontline officers from Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) and Maldives Police Service (MPS).
Speaking at a press briefing regarding disbursement of frontline allowance, Chief Financial Budget Executive at the Ministry of Finance Ahmed Sharuvash said the a total of USD 2.2 million has been disbursed to 2,948 individuals and an additional payment of USD 19,455 is currently ready for disbursement. Sharuvash added MNDF and MPS have not yet been paid the allowance due to policy changes in the two institutions, adding the allowances will be disbursed once the policy changes have been endorsed by the President’s Office. He said 3,246 officers from MNDF and MPS are to be awarded the allowance, amounting to USD 5.2 million.
Sharuvash further explained the disbursement is slow as it involves necessary procedures before the payment is settled. He also added the allowance will now be disbursed routinely instead of batches.
The frontline allowance is given after classifying frontliners into three main categories. As such, the first category includes high-risk workers such as doctors and nurses, as well as laboratory technicians who are testing COVID-19 samples and staff who transport COVID-19 patients from one place to another. Staff listed under the first category will receive an allowance of USD 32 per day.
The second category includes medium-risk workers who work in direct contact with individuals who serve COVID-19 patients. Such individuals would receive an allowance of USD 16 per day.
The third category includes low-risk workers such as staff from the Health Emergency Operation Centre (HEOC). Such individuals would receive USD 13 per day.