Parliament extends childcare break period for govt employees
In the vote held in parliament, the bill was passed with 62 votes in favour. No members voted against the bill.
The People’s Majlis on Sunday passed an amendment to the Employment Act (Maldives) allowing government employees to take two daily breaks of 30 minutes to visit their child until the child reaches two years of age.
The amendment was proposed last month by Mohamed Shameez of the ruling People’s National Congress.
The bill was reviewed by the National Development and Heritage Committee of parliament, which completed its review last week without changes. The committee’s report was presented during Sunday’s sitting.
In the vote held in parliament, the bill was passed with 62 votes in favour. No members voted against the bill.
During the debate, Hussain Sameer of the Maldivian Democratic Party proposed an amendment to increase the duration of each break to 45 minutes. The proposal received seven votes in favour and 49 votes against.
Under Article 45 of the Employment Act, employees are granted time to visit their child after completing maternity leave.
Previously, the law allowed employees to take two daily breaks of 30 minutes each to visit their child for one year without deduction from salary.
The amendment extends this period from one year to two years while maintaining the two daily breaks of 30 minutes.
The provisions of the amendment will take effect after ratification.
