Economic Minister has started researching the suggestion to set the minimum wage between MVR 5,000 and 8,900.

Minimum Wage Advisory Board made their suggestion to the Economic Minister on 5 October.

The Advisory Board suggested to set the minimum wage for low-level businesses in the private sector at MVR 5,000 at a rate of 24.04 per hour for the maximum work time of 48 hours per week at 4.33 weeks a month.

For mid-level businesses, the suggested rate is MVR 7,000 at a rate of 33.65 per hour for the maximum work time of 48 hours per week at 4.33 weeks a month.

As for businesses that does not qualify for low-level or mid-level businesses, the suggested minimum wage is MVR 8,000 at a rate of 42.79 per hour for the maximum work time of 48 hours per week at 4.33 weeks a month.

The Board suggests MVR 7,000 for public sector employees working six hours and a rate of 33.65 per hour for employees working fewer than six hours.

Of the minimum wage is set according to the suggestion from the Advisory Board, the basic salary for some sectors would double.

The Economic Ministry said that the Minimum Wage will be set after researching and reviewing the suggestions made by the Advisory Board. And the law demands that the Ministry do their studies as well.

Settings the minimum wage is a campaign promise of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. However, he has made no comments on what that amount would be.

While some businesses have voiced concerns regarding a minimum.wage, no official comment has been made by the Economic Ministry or the Economic Minister himself, Fayyaz Ismail nor the Minimum Wage Advisory Board.