President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has said his government is working to provide "a prosperous life for every Maldivian worker within the next five years."
In his address on the occasion of International Workers' Day, the President said workers are the biggest contributor to the development of Maldives.
He promised a brighter future for workers with the plans made by his government, including the initiative to allow former civil servants to rejoin the service, raising the retirement age to 75, ensuring that people with disabilities are not excluded from society and providing employment opportunities and decent wages for them.
"This government will prioritise providing learning opportunities and training in various fields. We will shape policies to increase women's participation in activities that benefit the country. We will establish services like daycare centers to facilitate families to increase their prosperity," Muizzu said.
He noted that the government has started to increase salaries and allowances for employees, but added that salary increases are not the only solution as the economy continues to thrive.
Muizzu said it is important to train employees, introduce housing schemes, give priority to workplace safety and provide soft loan schemes and income-generating markets.
“The government has already started these things,” the President assured.
He further said the government had identified 22 sectors where only locals can work in the country to further facilitate income-earning opportunities.
The government has also begun deporting illegal immigrants within 48 hours to close the doors for them to do business and earn income, he added.
Muizzu said the biggest concern when he took office was the MVR 9 billion and other debts owed by government companies and institutions to private parties.
"The government is giving top priority to pay off the huge debt owed to hardworking private companies and individuals as the state receives revenue. To protect the economic lifeline of the country by paying millions of Rufiyaa owed to fishermen," he said.
