MDP Calls Against Salary Hike for Speaker, Ministers

The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has called on the People's Majlis to reverse a decision by its Finance Committee to increase salaries for the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, and ministers, citing the country's worsening economic situation. The Finance Committee last week approved a 22,000 rufiyaa allowance for the Speaker, raising his total salary to 95,125 rufiyaa. The Deputy Speaker would receive 91,000 rufiyaa and members 82,500 rufiyaa. Ministerial salaries would rise from 58,500 rufiyaa to 75,500 rufiyaa. The only dissenting vote in the committee came from MDP MP Abdul Gafoor of Hanimaadhoo constituency, who argued that the current global economic climate would place additional burden on the government and that such a move was untimely. In a statement signed by its 12 MPs, the MDP described the committee's decision as highly irresponsible, noting that the country's economic conditions have deteriorated and the cost of living for citizens has reached extreme levels. The party said the salary increases would add 40 million rufiyaa to state expenditure, while the government has already overspent by 4.5 billion rufiyaa compared to revenue so far this year. The MDP also criticised the ruling People's National Congress (PNC) majority in parliament for using its supermajority to push through tax increases and other measures while failing to address crucial issues such as overtime pay for education and health workers, which has been pending since last year. The party called on the government and parliament members to work sincerely to reduce state expenditure and ease the burden on the people.