Govt employees who work during last 10 days of Ramadan to receive special allowance

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has decided to pay a special allowance to government employees who are required to work during the last 10 days of Ramadan.

President Muizzu had issued a directive on February 4, 2024, designating the final ten days of each Ramadan, as official government holidays.

Government offices closed for the last 10 days of Ramadan this year on Wednesday.

President Muizzu has announced that government employees who are required to work during the period will be paid an attendance benefit.

The national pay framework has been revised following the decision.

As per the amendment, which was published by the National Pay Commission on Thursday, employees who are required to report to work to provide essential public services starting from the 20th to the end of Ramadan are entitled to attendance benefit.

It states that during this period, the employees must be paid attendance benefit even for days they do not physically attend the office, except for Fridays and Saturdays.

Additionally, the period must be treated as “official public holidays” as defined under the Employment Act, and the government employees must be paid an allowance equivalent to half of the daily pay given for working during public holidays as stated under Article 38 of the Employment Act.

Meanwhile, overtime pay must be calculated based on the official public holiday rate.

The government will remain closed through Eid al-Fitr and reopen on April 6.