Ministry of Finance has disbursed income support allowance to 4,525 individuals whose sources of income were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The government introduced a monthly income support allowance of USD 323 as compensation to cover the essential expenses of individuals whose employment has been negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Statistics from the finance ministry revealed over USD 1.18 million has been disbursed as income support allowance to 4,525 individuals by July 16.
The income support allowance is provided for individuals who have been either dismissed or suspended from their jobs without pay, as well as employees who have been sent on no-pay leaves and employees whose monthly wages have been reduced below USD 323. The allowance given for individuals whose wages have been cut will be the difference between USD 323 and their current monthly wages. Independent contractors, performing artists and other freelance workers are also eligible for income support allowance, if their sources of income have been blocked since March 1, 2020.
The eligibility criteria for the income support allowance include being a Maldivian citizen living in the Maldives who had been employed by March 1, 2020. They must also be between 18 years and 65 years of age.
Furthermore, the conditions for receiving the allowance includes agreeing to participate in a skills development programme allocated by the government and to accept employment arranged through the Job Centre of the government.