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Muizz speaks at a campaign meeting held in F. Nilandhoo on Thursday evening, 17 August 2023. Photo/PPM

Muizz vows dedicated social housing category for tourism workers

Muizz also pledged to introduce a retirement scheme with special additional benefits for tourism workers.

18 August 2023
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By Mohamed Muzayyin Nazim

PPM-PNC presidential candidate Dr Mohamed Muizz on Thursday pledged to include a dedicated category for employees working in the tourism industry in social housing projects implemented by his government.

Speaking at a rally in F. Nilandhoo on Thursday evening, Muizz explained the contents of his manifesto to those working in the tourism sector.

The most important industry in the country is tourism, which employs about 20,000 people. In his government, he will give special priority to the Maldivians working in the industry as he will give attention to other sectors, he said.

“I announce tonight that it will be part of our policies to create a dedicated category of housing for employees in the tourism industry and provide social housing among the earliest housing projects launched by our government," Muizzu, who served as housing minister in former President Abdulla Yameen's government, said, noting that the largest housing project ever carried out in the Maldives was carried out then.

Muizz, who is now the mayor of the Male, noted that previous housing projects had dedicated categories for nurses, doctors and several other sectors, but none for tourism.

However, Muizz assured that his government would give special priority to the employees of the tourism industry under the policy of providing housing to all the people of Maldives.

"There is a lot of justification. Tourism industry employees are doing the hardest work in generating revenue for us [and] boosting the economy," he said, amid concerns from resort employees over his announcement on Wednesday night that he would move the major school holidays back to December.

"We are earning from what these workers do. So, it is very fair that they have a special category within our housing program.

Muizz then promised the tourism industry workers:

  • To introduce a retirement scheme with special additional benefits

  • The scheme will be introduced by a special law, in consultation with the heads of companies and parliament

"It gives you a lot of satisfaction. When you retire, you get a very good package," Muizz said.

"We can introduce retirement schemes that benefit both industry operators [and] employees."

Muizz also responded to the concerns of tourism employees, over some confusion about his school holiday policy.

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