Maldives minimum wage 2026: hourly rates by employer size

The Maldives minimum wage is MVR 21.63 to MVR 38.46 an hour in the private sector, depending on employer size. Permanent public-sector staff get at least MVR 7,000 a month. It applies only to employees who are not expatriates, so foreign workers are not covered.

The rates come from the Minimum Wage Order of 8 November 2021, in force since 1 January 2022. It was the country's first minimum wage, made under section 59 of the Employment Act.

Rates by employer size

The Order sets an hourly rate for each size of private business. It states a monthly figure only for the public sector.

Companies with a government shareholding count as private sector under the Order. The public sector means ministries, Parliament, the courts, the security services, councils, independent institutions and other State bodies set up by law.

How employer size is decided

Size follows the business's classification under the SME Act (Law 6/2013). The Act was amended in May 2022 (Law 5/2022), after the Order was made, and now uses these bands:

A business is not micro, small or medium if two of its three figures are above the medium limits. The same applies in any year its revenue is over MVR 30 million. Your employer's registered classification is held by the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade.

What counts towards the minimum wage

Only your basic salary and any fixed monthly allowance count towards the minimum wage. These do not count:

• overtime pay
• Ramadan allowance
• service charge
• allowances that change from month to month
• seasonal allowances and bonuses
• benefits in kind, such as food or housing, or what they cost

Your employer may still deduct your pension contribution and income tax from the basic salary. Deductions allowed under section 20 of the Employment Act are also permitted.

Who it covers

The Order covers "employees other than expatriate employees", so it protects Maldivians and not foreign workers. The 7th amendment of September 2022 requires the minister to announce a date for applying the minimum wage to expatriates (President's Office).

As of 7 October 2026, the Government Gazette shows no order with such a date. A foreign worker's pay is the amount in their contract.

For Maldivians, the minimum wage applies during probation too (Employment Act, section 14).

Foreign workers must be paid into a bank account in their own name at a bank licensed by the Maldives Monetary Authority. This rule, Regulation 2026/R-69, takes effect 30 days after its publication on 25 August 2026.

Minimum wage in US dollars

The Order gives no monthly figure for private employers, so there is no official monthly minimum wage in dollars. The only monthly figure is MVR 7,000 for permanent public-sector staff. To convert it, use the current rate from the Maldives Monetary Authority.

A revision is due

The Employment Act requires the Minimum Wage Advisory Board to review the minimum wage every two years (section 59-2). The rates have not changed since they took effect on 1 January 2022.

As of 7 October 2026, the Government Gazette lists only the 2021 Order, so no revised rates are in force yet. A new order takes effect only once it is published in the Gazette (section 62).

If you are paid less

Paying less than the minimum wage is an offence (Employment Act, section 64). The employer is fined MVR 1,000 the first time. A second offence brings a fine of MVR 1,000 to MVR 3,000 or up to 3 months in prison.

The Employment Tribunal can order the employer to pay what you are owed.

If you complain, your employer has to prove they paid the minimum wage. Employers must also display the Order at the workplace (section 63). You can complain through the Labour Relations Authority.

For what employers actually advertise, see advertised pay by job.

Questions people ask

What is the minimum salary in the Maldives?

It depends on the employer: MVR 21.63 an hour at small businesses, MVR 33.65 at medium ones and MVR 38.46 at larger ones. Micro businesses are exempt. Permanent public-sector staff working 30 or more hours a week get at least MVR 7,000 a month.

Does the Maldives minimum wage apply to foreigners?

No. The Order covers only employees who are not expatriates. The law requires a date to be announced for foreign workers, but none had been published in the Gazette by 7 October 2026.

Is service charge part of the minimum wage?

No. Service charge, overtime, the Ramadan allowance, variable allowances, bonuses and benefits in kind are all left out. Only basic salary and fixed allowances count.

Rates change only by a new order in the Gazette. Check with the Labour Relations Authority if you are unsure which rate applies to your employer.