Minister of Economic Development Fayyaz Ismail, on Sunday, stated that the minimum wage would be announced within 10 to 15 days following input from the parliament.
The statement was made in the wake of public criticism as a result of the ministry's failure to declare the minimum wage before the end of February in accordance with the minister's assertions on January 11.
Speaking to local media outlet Mihaaru, the economic minister revealed that the report concerning the minimum wage was forwarded to the parliament a week earlier. He further disclosed that the parliament assigned priority to the minimum wage report, assuring that there were no parliamentary delays.
The Minimum Wage Advisory Board formed by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has advised an overall minimum wage of MVR 6,400. A sum between 6,400 and 8,600 was suggested for employees of the tourism industry.
The proposed figures were set following thorough research into several factors including expected costs to employers and changes in outward remittances by expatriate workers.
The International Labour Organisation (ILO) had advised Maldives to set a minimum wage between MVR 6,000 and MVR 6,500.