Ministry of Finance has stated USD 863,000 has been paid as allowance for 1,045 frontline workers thus far.
The government of the Maldives on July 29 began paying an allowance for individuals working on the frontline in the fight against COVID-19. In this regard, over USD 188,000 was paid to a total of 220 frontline workers on July 29, as the government continued processing the paperwork before depositing the allowance.
Minister of Finance Ibrahim Ameer said USD 675,000 was paid on August 9 for an additional 825 frontline workers for the period from March 7 until June 30. He added the finance ministry is currently verifying and approving data before releasing the allowance for additional frontline workers.
The allowance is given after classifying frontliners into three main categories. As such, 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 another. Staff listed under the first category will receive an allowance of USD 32 per day.
The second category includes medium-risk workers who work in direct contact with individuals who serve COVID-19 patients. Such individuals would receive an allowance of USD 16 per day.
The third category includes low-risk workers such as staff from the Health Emergency Operation Centre (HEOC). Such individuals would receive USD 13 per day.
Political appointees and individuals under medium-risk and low-risk categories who currently earn wages above deputy minister level would not be eligible for the allowance despite working on the frontline. Also, frontline workers who receive an additional allowance from their employer will not be eligible for the allowance issued from the government.