Naseem: Other countries require tourists to pay in own currency, Maldives should follow

Thulusdhoo MP Ibrahim Naseem states that the Maldives should follow other nations by requiring tourists to pay for services in the national currency, the Maldivian Rufiyaa.

Naseem made these comments during Wednesday’s parliamentary debate on the amendment proposed to the Employment Act, submitted by Kendhoo MP Mauroof Zakir.

Criticizing Mauroof’s amendment, Naseem noted that in many countries, tourists are required to conduct all transactions in the local currency, including the payment of service charges. He further explained that such a system obliges tourists to exchange foreign currency through official domestic exchange mechanisms.

"There are numerous countries across the world where the national currency is utilized for all transactions and in payment of service charges," Naseem said, emphasizing that the Maldives should implement this practice immediately.

The amendment proposed by MP Mauroof seeks to prohibit the conversion of service charges collected in foreign currency into Maldivian Rufiyaa prior to their disbursement to employees. It further stipulates that service charge payments must be paid to staff in the same currency in which they were originally collected.

Additionally, the amendment aims to ensure that temporary employees or workers hired through third parties receive fair allocations of service charges when they directly serve tourists. According to Mauroof, the amendment is intended to fully safeguard the legal rights of employees in the tourism sector with regard to service charge distribution.

Naseem reiterated that the country should not move away from its national currency and urged the sponsoring member to support the use of the Maldivian Rufiyaa.