Trans Maldivian Airways (TMA) has decided to pay the full salaries of employees in US dollars to avoid a planned strike over a decision to pay part of the salaries in Maldivian Rufiyaa.
TMA employees, including pilots, decided to go on strike on July 29. TMA's decision was related to dollar shortages after a change in the government's foreign exchange policy.
In a message to employees, TMA CEO Usama Fawzy said the company had decided not to implement the decision. TMA had earlier decided to pay 80 percent of the salary in dollars and the remaining 20 percent in Rufiyaa.
With the decision to pay the employees in dollars as per their employment agreement, the strike is unlikely to continue. However, strike organizers have not issued an official statement.
In addition to the 20 percent dollar income exchanged, TMA also pays its fuel bills and other payments to the Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) in dollars.
TMA requested MACL to accept the land rent and fuel price in Rufiyaa, but the government rejected the offer.
TMA, which operates more than 60 seaplanes, has over 1,500 employees. It has the largest operating seaplane fleet in the world.
