Parliament recommends against salary cuts for MPs, judges, officials
The Finance Committee, which reviewed the president’s proposals, decided last week against reducing the salaries.
Top Stories
-
Timely payments bring Maldivians back to fisheries: President
-
Fishermen to see govt initiative benefits in 2 years: President
-
Maldives records MVR 693 million revenue boost from tax hikes
-
Maldives records MVR 3.4 billion budget surplus
-
Bayfancy Residence moves ahead with steady progress in Hulhumalé
Parliament on Monday passed a resolution recommending that the salaries of Members of Parliament, judges, and heads of independent institutions should not be reduced.
Two weeks ago, the president submitted proposals to parliament for measures to reduce government expenditure over the next two years as part of the economic reform agenda. The proposals included:
-
A 10% reduction in the basic salary of senior officials of independent institutions and those earning above MVR 12,000.
-
A provision allowing parliament to decide on a 10% salary deduction for MPs and senior judicial officials.
The Finance Committee, which reviewed the president’s proposals, decided last week against reducing the salaries. The committee's report was presented to Parliament today.
The report was put to a vote, and 44 members supported the recommendation not to cut salaries. No members voted against the resolution, while 28 MPs, including members of the MDP and PNC, abstained.
The committee's decision stated that:
-
Salary reductions for these positions require amendments to existing laws, and implementing cuts without such reforms would not be appropriate.
-
The committee is responsible for maintaining salaries and allowances for similar categories of positions.
Instead of reducing salaries, the committee recommended merging the Broadcasting Commission and the Maldives Media Council to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
“If the Media Council and the Broadcasting Commission, which are independent institutions, are merged, efficiency will be increased and costs will be reduced significantly,” the committee's decision stated.
The report also suggested that if the consolidation is implemented swiftly, the intended cost reductions could be achieved.
Late last year, Thulhaadhoo MP Abdul Hannan introduced a bill to merge the two institutions. However, the bill was criticised as a restriction on press freedom and was rejected by Parliament following pressure from journalists. The government has stated that the bill was not initiated by them.
