Proposed Amendment to Ensure Service Charges for Resort Staff Are Paid in Dollars

A significant amendment has been proposed to ensure that service charges collected from resort guests are paid to resort staff in US dollars, rather than being converted to the local currency. The amendment, submitted by MP Mauroof Zakir of the Maldives Democratic Party (MDP), aims to address concerns over how service charges are distributed to employees in the tourism sector. Currently, service charges collected in dollars are often converted to Maldivian Rufiyaa before being paid to staff, which some argue disadvantages employees due to exchange rate fluctuations and additional fees. The proposed change seeks to protect workers' earnings by mandating that these charges be paid directly in the currency in which they are collected. The amendment was submitted to the People's Majlis, and discussions on its implementation are ongoing.