The Parliament of the Maldives has decided to submit a proposal to the government to ease the rent on apartments and houses amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The proposal was among one of the 7 recommendations included in the report prepared by the Parliamentary Committee on Social Affairs. The report was passed with votes from 66 parliamentarians.
In the report, the committee stated rent needs to be eased from apartments and houses amid the COVID-19 crisis, as the sources of income of several people have been blocked due to the pandemic and could be rendered homeless if no actions are taken on easing rent.
The report also includes a proposal to monitor businesses and companies through the Job Centre after releasing economic relief packages. The proposal states companies must be fined if employees continue to be mistreated after the company receives the relief package.
Furthermore, the report states the online educational programmes introduced by the Ministry of Education must continue in order to ensure continued education for students during the extended closure of schools. The report also states the education ministry needs to collaborate with internet service providers to introduce special internet packages for all students, without discrimination between Male' City and the atolls.
In addition, a recommendation was included in the report to ban the use of mosques, parks and other public places without permission from the Health Protection Agency (HPA).
The objective of the report by the social affairs committee is to ensure effective measures are in place to mitigate the social and economic impact of COVID-19 on the public.