Minimum pay relief extended for tourism sector employees

The Government has decided to extend by six months the minimum pay relief scheme for all those permanently employed in the tourism sector, until December 2021.

A decision to this effect was made by the Cabinet of Ministers at their meeting on Monday. The scheme was to expire by end-June. 

The Government said the Cabinet had previously approved the proposal, submitted by a task force comprising employers, employee trade union representatives and the officers of the Ministry of Labour and Department of Labour, with the objective of helping institutions in the tourism sector retain employees and avoid lay-offs amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

Accordingly, as relief, every employee will receive 50% of their salary or Rs. 14,500, whichever is higher, if the employees are in residence, whilst employers must also ensure payment of contributions to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) and Employees Trust Fund (ETF).