Finance Minister reveals plan for HR audit to review government employee numbers

Finance Minister Hassan Zareer revealed today that there is an intention to conduct an HR audit next year to examine whether there are as many employees in government institutions as needed, identify the required number of employees, and take steps accordingly. Responding to a question posed by a member during today's meeting of the People's Majlis Budget Study Committee, the minister stated that President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has decided not to create new positions next year and not to hire employees or fill positions unless absolutely necessary, in order to reduce government expenditure. He also said, "We, along with the Finance Ministry and the Pay Commission, are considering conducting an HR audit to check if the current number of employees in government institutions is what is needed. [The objective is] to allocate people where they are needed in the required amounts, and if there are more than needed, to transfer them to where they are needed." The budget proposal submitted by the government for next year, proposed by Finance Minister Hassan Zareer, is MVR 59.7 billion. According to the details in the budget book, it is estimated that MVR 7.91 billion will be spent on government employee salaries next year. It is also estimated that MVR 6.51 billion will be spent on employee benefits. Therefore, it is projected that MVR 14.4 billion will be spent on government employees next year. This is an additional amount of MVR 492.8 million compared to what was spent on government employees this year. Furthermore, the President stated late last month that strict policies to reduce government expenditure will be reflected in next year's budget. According to statistics published by the Maldives Bureau of Statistics in 2023, the number of people working in the civil service reaches 30,127. Additionally, Zareer stated last August that the number of employees in government-owned companies exceeds 41,000.