President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has ratified two bills passed by the Parliament of Maldives.
The two bills ratified by President Solih include the 12th amendment to the Maldives Tourism Act passed by the Parliament on September 21. The amendment mandates the immediate application of the Green Tax levied on tourists staying in tourism facilities, which was earlier set to come into effect on January 1, 2023, as per the 11th amendment to the Tourism Act.
Furthermore, the amendment also stipulates that tourism establishments that had continued collection of the Green Tax since the ratification of the 11th amendment to the law must file their tax returns and pay the tax to the state unless reimbursed to the taxpayer. It also stipulates that funds collected as Green Tax from parties who do not fall under the purview of the law or collected more than the prescribed amount must be paid in full to the state unless reimbursed to the taxpayer.
Additionally, President Solih also ratified the seventh amendment to the Maldives Employment Act passed by Parliament on September 21. The amendment stipulates that the Minister of Economic Development, upon recommendation from the Minimum Wage Advisory Board, which reflects the economic situation, self-sufficiency, and productivity of the nation, must announce a date for employers to act upon, regarding the implementation of minimum wages for the expatriate working population in the Maldives.
The two bills have been published in the Government Gazette and are in effect.