Author: Minivan News

President suspends new pay structure for doctors

President Abdulla Yameen has suspended the implementation of a new salary structure for doctors.

The Ministry of Health and Gender had said the new structure, which came into effect on January 1, would increase doctors’ salaries. However, doctors have claimed their total take-home salaries would decrease by as much as MVR10,000 (US$648).

According to a statement by the President’s Office, the government is now reviewing the complaints regarding the new salary structure and will hold discussions with stakeholders to revise the structure.

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Government completes training program for new entrepreneurs

The Ministry of Economic Development has completed a two-day training program for entrepreneurs who wish to start small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

The 25 participants were trained on marketing and planning to minimise risk. The Economic Development Ministry said it intends to hold additional trainings for SMEs in the future.

The ministry has previously held a training for 15 participants in Laamu Atoll.

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Referendum on death penalty not permitted, says Islamic Minister

Islamic Minister Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed has criticised MP Ahmed Mahloof’s proposal to conduct a public referendum on whether to enforce the death penalty.

“Seeking public opinion on how to proceed on an issue that has been determined by Islamic Shariah cannot be permitted,” the senior Adhaalath Party member tweeted today.

The Progressive Party of Maldives MP yesterday declared his intention to submit a resolution to parliament on holding a public referendum on reintroducing capital punishment.

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115 cases of assault in first five weeks of 2014

The Maldives Police Services have recorded 115 cases of assault in the first five weeks of 2014.

In the past five years, the highest number of assault cases were reported in 2008 (1612 cases) and 2010 (1637 cases). In 2013, the police received 1395 cases of assault.

Violence has been on the rise in Malé recently with opposition MP Alhan Fahmy stabbed on February 1.

He was flown to Sri Lanka to undergo spinal surgery after he was stabbed in the back. It is unclear if the MP will be able to regain movement in his right leg.

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Flexible working arrangements introduced for mothers in the civil service

The Civil Service Commission has amended the regulations to allow flexible working hours and the option to work from home for pregnant women and women with children under three years of age who have “no proper caretaking arrangements”.

With the regulation coming into effect today, any eligible female civil servant can now apply to make such arrangements under a separate contract.

The amendment requires the human resource committees of all institutions to formulate a standard procedure for flexible work hours and working from home. These standard procedures should include criteria for allowing such work arrangements – to address difficulties in services that may arise, as well as the amount of work and time period required for the arrangement.

With both flexible work hours and working from home, employers will not get the normal one hour break in the afternoon, and institutions are allowed to reduce the employees salary if their working hours fall below that normally required.

As of December 2013, there were 24,207 civil servants in the country – approximately 54% of them women. Nearly 75% of women in the civil service work as teachers, nurses, and administrative staff.

A subsidised childcare system and allowing women to work from home through the internet was part of the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) manifesto pledged by President Abdulla Yameen.

The Minister of Defense has earlier promised a day-care center for the Maldives National Defense Force.

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Drug Court and police establish web portal to track drug offenders

The Drug Court and Maldives Police Services have established a web portal to track drug offenders.

Through the portal, the Drug Court will be able to immediately determine if the police arrest any individuals who have been released previously on the condition they do not commit second offenses.

The court will also be able to find out if a defendant in a drug case is under police custody.

The service will expedite the court’s work, the Drug Court has said. Police held a training for Drug Court employees on the service this morning.

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EC to hold polls for five local councils on February 15

The Elections Commission (EC) has scheduled polls for four island councils and one atoll council for February 15.

Polls are being held to determine the fifth member of the Haa Alif atoll Muraidhoo, Shaviyani atoll Kondey, and Raa atoll Maakurathu island councils after two candidates were tied for fifth place during the vote held on January 18.

A fresh vote is being held in Noonu atoll, Miladhoo island, with the EC having invalidated the January 18 vote due to irregularities.

The delayed polls for the Gaaf Alif atoll council will also be held on February 18. The EC had postponed the vote to allow additional time for a formerly disqualified candidate to campaign. After the Supreme Court overturned the ruling, the vote was delayed, only for the candidate in question to withdraw.

Eligible voters who wish to cast their ballot in a location other than the box with which they are currently registered can submit re-registration forms at the EC until 3:00pm tomorrow.

Ballot boxes will only be placed in the respective islands and in Malé. To check registration status, send an SMS to 1414 with VIS [National ID#].

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18 year old sustains head injuries in assault

An 18 year old male was assaulted with steel pipes in Henveiru Ward Adi Park in Malé last night.

The young man sustained head injuries and was treated at ADK Hospital. No arrests have been made yet.

Violence has been on the rise in Malé recently. MP Alhan Fahmy was stabbed in public at a cafe on Saturday and is currently undergoing treatment in Sri Lanka.

On January 27, two 18 year old males and one minor were stabbed in three separate attacks. On January 26, a Bangladeshi national was stabbed during a mugging attack.

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Former Chief Justice appointed as advisor to Minister of Islamic Affairs

President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom has appointed former Chief Justice Sheikh Mohamed Rasheed Ibrahim as the advisor to Minister of Islamic Affairs.

The position is a ministerial level appointment, the President’s Office said.

Under President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, Ibrahim had served as the Minister of Justice, President of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs and as the Special Advisor to the President.

Ibrahim is also the President of the Fiqh Academy.

According to the President’s Office Website, Yameen has appointed five individuals to positions at ministerial rank, 34 as state ministers and 59 as deputy ministers.

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