President Ratifies 9th Amendment to Employment Act

President Mohamed Muizzu has ratified the 9th Amendment to the Employment Act, introducing several changes aimed at strengthening worker protections and improving the management of expatriate employment.

The amendment was approved by the People’s Majlis during the 5th sitting of its first session for 2026, held on 8 March.

According to the government, the key objective of the amendment is to strengthen procedures related to employment termination while reviewing the quota fees legally required for recruiting expatriate workers. The changes also establish criteria under which certain parties may be exempted from paying these fees, while addressing implementation challenges and safeguarding the rights of both employers and employees.

Among the notable provisions introduced in the amendment are expanded childcare support for working parents. Employees will now be granted time off for childcare from the date they return from maternity leave until the child reaches two years of age.

The amendment also empowers the Cabinet to exempt certain Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) from the requirement to pay expatriate worker quota fees, a measure aimed at easing financial burdens on smaller businesses.

Additionally, the amendment formally designates International Labour Day as an official public holiday in the Maldives.

The amendment came into effect immediately following its ratification by the President and its publication in the Government Gazette.