Tourism Minister calls for increased training for locals

19 December 2007
Report: Ayya

Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation Dr.Mahmood Shaugee has said that the most important step to take as new resorts are being opened next year is to find and train Maldivian for the job now. Tourism Minister said this, as 50% of the work force of every resort has to be Maldivian.

Speaking at the function held to conclude the work being done at Haa Alif Manafaru to make that island a resort, Dr. Shaugee said that the Tourism Ministry is even now taking measures against those resorts which do not employ 50% of Work force as Maldivian. He also said that there might be other resorts which do not obey this law and the Ministry will look in to it.

Tourism Minister thanked Maldivians who work in the resorts as they bring such issues to the Ministry and said that a committee compiled jointly by Tourism Ministry and Employment Ministry will soon begin work.

Some resorts are appealing to change the regulation as they say that putting 50% of the work force as Maldivians would be difficult as the resort opens, the Minister said. But Dr. Shaugee said that the solution is not changing the regulation, but it is to increase the salary and other allowances given to Maldivians. He said that although it is alright to think about the fields which Maldivians lack interest and not available, it is against the objective of developing tourism sector to reduce Maldivians in such jobs in which skill is needed and pay is good.