Deputy Speaker Eva Abdulla has requested to reduce her salary, to the same amount as other lawmakers.

The People’s Majlis on Wednesday approved the salary cut of senior government officials including the president as well as all its members.

Following the cut, MPs will get MVR 69,750 (a 15 percent cut) including committee allowance while the speaker is to get receive MVR 57,118 (a 22 percent cut) and the deputy speaker was to receive MVR 75,700 (a 17 percent cut).

However, following her request, MP Eva will also receive MVR 69,750 now.

These changes will be in effect from May.

The salary reductions are part of the government’s plans to reduce state expenditure amid the Covid-19 pandemic which has affected the country’s economy immensely.

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and Vice President Faisal Naseem’s salary has also been reduced by 35 percent, while cabinet ministers’ salary was deducted by 22 percent.

As per the latest predictions, Maldives budget deficit is projected to reach MVR 14.1 billion. While authorities had previously predicted a revenue of MVR 29.9 billion, this has been reduced to MVR 15.8 billion following the crisis.

The projected MVR 15.8 billion revenue is only possible if economic activities are re-opened by July. Authorities plan to open the country’s borders in July, given that the Covid-19 situation continues to improve.