MACL Restores Ramadan Overtime Pay After Backlash Over Earlier Circular

Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) has issued a revised circular confirming that employees who work more than five hours during Ramadan will continue to receive overtime pay, reinstating the long‑standing practice followed in previous years.

The move follows strong internal and public backlash to an earlier circular that indicated overtime would not be paid for work exceeding five hours during the holy month. That initial notice marked a clear departure from previous years and quickly drew criticism across social media and within the company’s workforce. The updated circular reverses that position and reaffirms that overtime pay will remain in effect.

The revised communication also states that the last ten days of Ramadan 1447 will be designated as holidays for non‑shift duty employees. However, MACL noted that some staff may still be required to report for duty depending on operational needs/

Employees who are required to work during these final ten days will receive an additional half‑pay allowance, in line with existing company rules.

The updated circular appears aimed at addressing the strong reaction generated by the earlier notice, which was widely viewed as a withdrawal of established overtime entitlements during Ramadan. The issue gained rapid traction on public platforms, prompting calls for MACL to maintain long‑standing compensation practices.