Public Health Emergency Bill 2020 Submitted to Parliament

On 30 May 2020, the Attorney General’s Office announced that a Public Health Emergency Bill was submitted to the People’s Majlis.

The Bill, submitted to Majilis on 29 May 2020, focuses on taking special measures to provide safety and assistance to specific groups of people and families who have been deprived of their essential needs and businesses during the state of public health emergency announced by the Government of Maldives in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Broadly covering three main areas, the bill contains provisions which ensure housing protections, special rights and protections for employees, financial assistance provided by the state to destitute and at-risk persons, tax relief for businesses, and rules regarding audio and video proceedings of the courts and tribunals.

The proposed employee related provisions will provide a mechanism to grant employees special leaves during this period, and will delineate measures that can be taken against an employee – salary reduction, forced leave, termination – during this period, and the procedures to be followed by employers in this respect.