increment of income would be across the board, and in the future the resort would perform an external auditing of accounts. b) In August 2010, more than 150 Maldivian and expatriate employees working at Kurumba Maldives Resort conducted a strike, protesting of low income (issue of distribution of service charge from guests and no overtime pay), work discriminations (between local and expatriate staff), poor staff facilities and food. The protesting strikers revealed that the situation remained the same for the past 38 years. Initially, four employees presented a petition to the management expressing an interest to demonstrate strike actions, which resulted in dismissal of the four staff. The protest was resolved when owner of the resort, Universal Group, withdrew the requirement to take prior‐authorization for striking on the privately owned island. A total of 19 employees were taken into State custody. Members of TEAM confirmed that they provided legal assistance in representing these 19 employees in the criminal court and many of them are now blacklisted in the resorts for having affiliations with the association. d) In February 2010, employees at the Centara Grand Island Resort conducted a strike action claiming that employees did not receive the service charges as agreed to them by the management. The management justified this by claiming that the room revenue was low. Following the visit by the representatives from Ministry of Human Resource, Youth and Sports, the resort increased the service charge allocated to employees. It is important to note that the management of the resort consulted with members of TEAM and permitted them to embark the resort. 163. The above incidents prove existence of problems in the current system of employment, and in many cases it is detrimental to both employees and the employers; employees end Chapter: Article 22 – Freedom of Association c) In April 2010, 157 staff of Shangri‐La Villingili went on strike following the dismissal of four staff, when they were playing games on a PlayStation, inside a vacant villa and caught by the security personnel who conducted an investigation on the matter. According to the handbook of the management, such incidents would entail issuing a warning letter only. Initially 64 employees, who protested were also dismissed. On arrival to the site, Maldives Police Services informed the strikers to vacate the island within 10 minutes or they would use force, and suggested to continue the strike in the close by island of Feydhoo. The employees continued the strike throughout the week until Shangri‐la management dismissed 14 employees, namely 10 leaders of the strike and 4 villa hosts. Rests of the employees were invited back to work. 63