Parliament Committee approves MVR 95,000 salary for Speaker, MVR 17,000 car allowance for Ministers, and significant changes to Councilor benefits

The Parliament's Public Accounts Committee has approved a salary increase for the Speaker of Parliament to MVR 95,000 and established a monthly car allowance package of MVR 17,000 for cabinet ministers.

During Wednesday's committee meeting, it was decided to increase the Speaker of Parliament's allowance by MVR 22,000. With this adjustment, the Speaker’s total monthly remuneration will rise to MVR 95,125.

The Speaker of Parliament currently receives a monthly salary of MVR 73,125. However, committee members highlighted that this is significantly lower than the earnings of other officials, noting that the Deputy Speaker receives MVR 91,000 while Members of Parliament receive MVR 82,500.

While it has been noted that the Speaker of Parliament is unable to participate in committee meetings, creating a significant disparity, members highlighted that their committee allowances are based on attendance percentages. Under this structure, members receive an allowance of MVR 10,000 for attending between 50 and 75 percent of meetings, while those with an attendance rate exceeding 75 percent receive MVR 20,000.

Consequently, the Public Accounts Committee approved an increase of 22,000 Rufiyaa to the Speaker of Parliament's allowance.

Furthermore, a decision has been made to grant a service allowance of 5,000 Rufiyaa to council members.

Under current island council salary structures, presidents receive a monthly pay of MVR 25,500. Vice presidents earn MVR 20,000, while council members receive MVR 18,000.

However, with the introduction of this allowance, the monthly remuneration for island council presidents will rise to MVR 30,500, while vice presidents will receive MVR 25,000 and council members will receive MVR 23,000.

Following the recent revisions to the national pay framework, the committee highlighted that salary increments have been implemented for the judiciary, independent institutions, and local councils.

The committee highlighted that while cabinet ministers receive MVR 58,500, the revised pay structure grants MVR 74,000 to independent positions within state institutions, with the heads of these bodies receiving MVR 59,000. Regarding the judiciary, the committee noted that the Chief Justice receives a salary of MVR 91,000, while other judges receive MVR 89,000.

Furthermore, the Public Accounts Committee has decided to increase the petrol and driving allowances provided to senior government officials.

While the current fuel allowance stands at MVR 1,000 and the driving allowance at MVR 6,500, the committee has approved an increase to MVR 2,000 for fuel and MVR 12,000 for driving salaries. Additionally, the committee has authorized a new living allowance of MVR 3,000 for drivers.

While the PNC-majority Public Accounts Committee has approved a significant salary increase, the only member to oppose the move was Abdul Ghafoor Moosa, the MDP representative for the Hanimaadhoo constituency.

MP Ghafoor stated that this is not the most opportune time to implement such a significant salary adjustment, noting that the current global situation would place an additional burden on the government. However, he suggested that such changes could be considered once the prevailing circumstances improve. The member further clarified that he does not support the proposal at this time.

While the Parliament's Public Accounts Committee has approved significant salary increases for the Speaker of Parliament, cabinet ministers, heads of independent institutions, and other senior government officials, employees at state-owned enterprises are being dismissed under the pretext of a declining national economy. Furthermore, the government has also decided to dissolve several state-owned companies.