Summary of Minimum Wage Directive
The Ministry of Economic Development (MED) has on 8 November 2021 published an Order on Minimum Wage (Directive). This is the first time the Maldives has set a minimum wage in the country. The Directive is issued under the authority granted by Section 62 of the Employment Act (2/2008) in respect of establishing minimum wage in the Maldives.
The rules contained in the Directive are as listed below.
Minimum wage for the Private Sector is categorized and set as follows:
Very small sized businesses are excluded from having to set minimum wage.
Small sized businesses at an hourly rate of MVR 21.63.
Medium sized businesses at an hourly rate of MVR 33.65.
Large sized businesses at an hourly rate of MVR 38.46.
Employers whose businesses would not qualify as either very small, small, medium, or large sized, at an hourly rate of MVR 21.63.
Minimum wage for the Public Sector is set as follows:
MVR 7000 for permanent employees who work a minimum of 30 hours per week.
For employees who would not qualify within the above description, an hourly rate of MVR 33.65.
Foreign employees working in the Maldives are excluded from these rules.
Minimum wage is to be implemented by all employers commencing 1 January 2022.
This Directive will remain valid after it has been published in the Maldives government gazette and until such time that it has been either nullified or amended.
Further guidance on the application of these rules will be published by the government.
For more information please contact
Shyma Shameem Nuzha Aleem
Managing Partner Partner