From donations and fund raisers to support #Maldives community, to helping their staff with the introduction of employee relief schemes, Velaa Private Island Maldives stands as a true example in the face of the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic.
Donations to the community
As part of the resort’s efforts to curb the spread of the virus, Velaa Private Island donated 20,000 gloves and masks to 13 different neighboring islands in the atoll. Each island was given a quantity that exceeded their respective populations.
Fundraiser for COVID-19 support in Maldives
Velaa Private Island recently announced a charity auction to raise funds for COVID-19 support in Maldives. The resort is offering a one-week stay to be redeemed when travel opens up again. The auction is for an exquisite seven nights in a two-bedroom Beach Pool House for up to four people with lots of other additional gifts, valued at USD 75,000.
Velaa’s Employee Relief Scheme
Velaa Private Island also launched a special employee relief scheme to help its employees in face of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Velaa’s Colleagues Relief Scheme provides full basic salary plus a fixed allowance of $100-200 for employees working out of the island. Eligible employees were given a long service allowance, whilst a special leave category were assigned to them in the wake of the pandemic.
Employees involved in the day-to-day operations of the resort received full basic salary and service charge in the range of $300-500 depending on the salary. Eligible employees also continued to receive the long service allowance.
All contract staff were paid their monthly pay as usual. Velaa also assured that the third-party and outsourced staff that their contracts were not terminated unreasonably.
Though Maldives tourism came to a halt with the border closure from 27th March, Velaa Private Island remained open and continued their operations.
Nested in the collection of islands that form the Noonu Atoll, a 45-minute seaplane flight north of Malé, Velaa Private Island is a “beyond luxury” hideaway. The resort is comprised of 18 overwater villas, 25 beach villas, houses and 4 four-bedroom residences. Each dwelling is serviced by a personal butler, ready to accommodate any desire that guests might have in mind.
