President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has stated setting a minimum wage warrants immediate attention, to encourage more Maldivians to join the labour force. President Solih made the statement in his nationwide address delivered to coincide with the International Labour Day.
In his address, the president assured deliberations are underway with stakeholders to set a minimum wage, within the existing legal framework. The president expected hope that work would hasten, once the 19th parliament is sworn-in.
Describing the Maldivian labour force as the axis of the country's development, President Solih stated the national income is the fruit of the hard work of the labour force. Applauded the efforts of the labour force, he added the national economy is revived from the hard work of the workers that serve as its fuel.
President Solih said supporting one's existence is a responsibility one needs to shoulder as a human being and that honest labour is never menial or lowly. However, he noted the large youth demographic who chose not to work, just because they prefer certain kinds of employment and how that in turn results in employers having to depend on foreign labour.