Parliament Approves Four Non-Resident Ambassadors and Passes Employment Act Amendment

The Parliament has approved the appointment of non-resident ambassadors to four countries and passed an amendment to the Employment Act during Sunday’s sitting.

Lawmakers approved Mohamed Shareef, the Maldives’ resident ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, to also serve as the non-resident ambassador to the Republic of Armenia.

Ahmed Sareer, who currently serves as the resident ambassador to Saudi Arabia, was approved as non-resident ambassador to the Sultanate of Oman.

Parliament also approved Aminath Shabeena as non-resident ambassador to the Republic of Malta and the Republic of Serbia.

In addition, four more nominations submitted by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu for non-resident ambassadorial posts were forwarded to the relevant parliamentary committee for review. The countries include the Argentine Republic, Cambodia, the Hellenic Republic (Greece), and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

During the same sitting, Parliament also approved the Bill on the Amendment to the Employment Act, proposed by the government and sponsored by Madaveli MP Mohamed Shameez.

Two amendments proposed by opposition members from the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) were rejected by the majority of ruling party lawmakers.

One amendment, proposed by Thoddoo MP Hussain Sameer, sought to extend break time granted to mothers of infants. Sameer proposed that mothers be given two 45-minute breaks each day until the child reaches two years of age. The proposal was rejected, with 49 MPs voting against the amendment. The original bill provides two 30-minute breaks per day. 

Sameer also proposed an amendment to Article 65(4)(a) of the Employment Act, suggesting that authority to deduct quota fees should be subject to parliamentary approval rather than being vested in the Cabinet. He further proposed that the change take effect with the implementation of next year’s state budget. This amendment was also rejected.

The bill passed by Parliament grants the Cabinet the authority to reduce quota fees. President Muizzu had earlier announced plans to amend the law to exempt quota fees for businesses employing fewer than a specified number of foreign workers.

The Employment Act amendment was approved by 61 MPs.

Sunday’s sitting was the first parliamentary meeting since 17 February. Parliament is expected to pause again and resume sittings after the last 10 days of Ramadan and the Eid holidays.