The government has introduced an additional allowance for individuals working in the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Speaking at a press conference held at National Emergency Operation Centre (NEOC), Finance Minister Ameer assured the government will not cut the wages of healthcare workers and others working in the frontlines of the pandemic. The minister revealed an additional allowance has been introduced for the front liners to acknowledge and appreciate their efforts.
The finance minister revealed the allowance will be given after classifying front liners into three main categories. As such, the minister noted the first category includes high-risk workers such as doctors and nurses, as well as laboratory technicians who are testing COVID-19 samples and staff who transport COVID-19 patients from one place to the other. He said staff under the first category will receive an additional allowance of USD 32 per day.
The minister revealed the second category includes medium-risk workers who work in direct contact of individuals who serve COVID-19 patients. Such individuals would receive an additional allowance of USD 16 per day.
The finance minister said the third category includes low-risk front line workers such as staff of National Emergency Operation Centre (NEOC) who work 6 hours a day. Such individuals would receive USD 13 per day.
Furthermore, the finance minister said there would be front line workers who would not be eligible for the additional allowance, such as political appointees and individuals under medium-risk and low-risk categories who currently earn wages above deputy minister level. He also said front line workers who receive an additional allowance from their employer will not be eligible for the government allowance.