MDP lawmakers oppose salary hikes for top officials, demand better pay for low-income workers

Opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) lawmakers voiced strong opposition during a People's Majlis session today to proposed salary increases for the Chief Justice, the Speaker of the Majlis, Cabinet ministers, and island councilors, arguing that it is unacceptable to raise top officials' pay while failing to improve salaries for those in the lowest income brackets. The debate followed a decision by the Finance Committee to increase the Chief Justice's salary to 95,000 rufiyaa, the Speaker's to 95,125 rufiyaa, and ministers' to 75,500 rufiyaa, along with a 5,000 rufiyaa allowance for councilors. Dr. Ahmed Shamsheer, MDP member for Hulhumale South, criticized the sudden salary hikes, saying they come without resolving long-pending issues like pay harmonization. He noted that thousands of grievances from school teachers, hospital staff, and administrative workers remain unaddressed, while the committee approved salary increases for top officials within a minute. Shamsheer argued that the international standard shows a two-fold difference between a parliamentarian's salary and a teacher's salary, but in the Maldives the difference is more than four times. He said he supports raising the Speaker's salary to 95,000 rufiyaa, but insisted that the minimum wage should be set at 20,000 or 25,000 rufiyaa. Abdul Gaffoor Musa, MDP member for Hanimadhoo, remarked that those defending the increases appear "hungry," pointing out that the Speaker already receives a large salary, a state-provided house worth two million rufiyaa, and travel facilities. He said civil service employees' families live in very difficult circumstances, making the proposed hikes for top officials unacceptable. Mikaail Ahmed Naseem, MDP member for Gaalol South, alleged that the government raised these salaries now because the state powers might speak out against the 20 billion rufiyaa Rasmalé project, accusing the government of exerting influence over the project and taking over the state through the Majlis.