MP Concerned Over Delay in Bill Banning Resort Service Charge Conversion to MVR

Member of Parliament (MP) for Galolhu Uthuru constituency, Mohamed Ibrahim (Kudu), has called on the Parliament to fast-track an amendment to the Employment Act, aimed at stopping resort operators from converting foreign currency service charges into Maldivian Rufiyaa before paying their staff. 

The legislation aims to stop these conversions and ensure employees receive their service charge directly in the foreign currency collected.

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The primary issue highlighted by the lawmaker is that converting foreign currency service charges into local currency impacts the true payout delivered to resort workers. 

Rather than handing over the funds in the original currency gathered from guests, establishments are converting them into Maldivian Rufiyaa prior to distribution.  

The bill was submitted by MP for Kendhoo constituency Mauroof Zakir on 8th December 2025. Its first reading was presented in the Parliament on 10th February 2026.

The bill proposing amendments to rectify this practice was debated and accepted on the floor of the Parliament on April 22nd, 2026, before being forwarded to the Committee on National Security Services for detailed review, where it has remained stalled ever since. 

MP Mohamed Ibrahim emphasised that the legislation is vital to safeguarding the rights and welfare of resort workers, urging the committee to conclude its work as quickly as possible so the bill can return to the Parliament floor for a final decision.