Velaa Private Island employees receive MVR 62,000 as service charges

Velaa Private Island has provided its employees with USD 4,079.10 (MVR 62,899.72) each as service charges for the month of December.

A group advocating for the rights of resort workers, Resort Workers Maldives disclosed information that shows that Velaa Private Island paid the highest in terms of service charges to its employees. Velaa is well known for the high service charges it hands out to its employees. 

The information also shows that Waldorf Astoria paid USD 3,370 (MVR 51,502.8) as service charges for its employees. Chevel Blanc Randheli resort also paid USD 3,315 (MVR 51,117.3) as service charges.

One & Only Reethi Rah resort paid USD 3,007 (MVR 46,367) while Four Seasons employees received USD 2,960.99 (MVR 45,658.4) as service charges. 

It is believed that the high service charges were a result of the high influx of tourists into the nation after the stagnation on the industry caused by COVID-19.

Amendments to the employment laws in the Maldives in effect since January 1 stipulate that tourism industry businesses are to collect a 10 percent service charges from all services provided. The Servi9ce Charges are to be evenly distributed among all workers.