Parliament rejects emergency motion over salary hikes for Speaker and Cabinet ministers
26 އޮކްޓޯބަރު 2026 | ހޯމަ 07:43Kendhoo MP Mauroof Zakir has submitted an emergency motion protesting the decision to increase the salaries of the Speaker of Parliament and cabinet ministers amidst a severe national economic downturn. The motion argued that raising the pay of top officials is unjust while the government simultaneously implements austerity measures to cut public spending; however, the presiding chair rejected the motion, citing a failure to meet the necessary procedural requirements.
Mauroof Zakir, Member of Parliament for the Kendhoo constituency. | rayyithunge majlis
The Speaker of the People's Majlis has rejected and dismissed an emergency motion expressing concern over the decision to increase the salaries of the Speaker and cabinet ministers.
During Monday's parliamentary session, Kendhoo MP Mauroof Zakir submitted an emergency motion regarding the Parliament committee's decision to increase the salaries and allowances of the Speaker of Parliament and cabinet ministers. The motion highlights that this decision comes at a time when the nation's economic situation has severely deteriorated and the cost of living for ordinary citizens has risen beyond affordable levels.
The motion stated that the decision to increase the salaries and allowances of the Speaker of Parliament and Cabinet Ministers is unjust to the Maldivian people. This comes at a time when adequate wages have yet to be established for healthcare and education sector employees, and amid widespread concerns regarding the pay harmonization process.
Presiding over the matter, Speaker of the People’s Majlis Abdul Raheem Abdulla stated that an emergency motion should not be submitted for the purpose of preemptively addressing an issue scheduled for later debate in the Parliament. Asserting that the motion failed to meet the necessary criteria, Speaker Abdul Raheem ruled that the emergency motion submitted by MP Mauroof was inadmissible.
The emergency motion further highlighted that the "Resolution on Overtime Pay and Establishing a Fair Working Environment for Education Sector Employees" remains stalled. Despite being submitted to Parliament on June 16, 2025, and referred to a joint session of the Committee on National Development and Heritage and the Social Affairs Committee to address pay harmonization concerns, the review has yet to be completed. Nevertheless, the government has proceeded to implement these salary changes.
Furthermore, the motion highlights that while the Ministry of Finance has instructed the Privatization and Corporatization Board (PCB) to reduce state-owned enterprise (SOE) staff by 33 percent as part of efforts to cut operational costs and strengthen fiscal management, the salaries and allowances of the Speaker of Parliament and cabinet ministers have been increased, further inflating state expenditure.
The emergency motion stated that at a time when the country's economic situation has deteriorated, it is unacceptable to the public for senior government officials to receive salary increases after numerous measures were implemented to cut state spending at the expense of the citizens.
The emergency motion highlighted that government spending has exceeded revenue by MVR 4.5 billion so far this year, while the national debt continues to escalate daily. The member stated that the motion was submitted because the issue is a matter of significant public concern and directly impacts the general interests of the community.
