President Mohamed Muizzu has ratified the 9th Amendment to the Employment Act, which allows small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to not pay quota fees for foreign employees.

According to the bill, the quota fee payable under the law for hiring foreign workers will be reviewed, and some parties will be exempted from paying the quota fee. The Cabinet will determine which parties will get the exemption.

In his presidential address in February, President Mohamed Muizzu said the law would be changed to exempt companies with fewer than 20 foreigners from paying the annual quota fee.

"Key changes include provisions granting employees time off for childcare from the date of return from maternity leave until the child reaches two years of age, allowing the Cabinet to exempt certain Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) from the payment of quota fees, and designating International Labour Day as an official public holiday," the President's Office said.