Gasim continues govt lash out: 'Cut costs, collect debt over new fees'
Gasim repeatedly said he was “not against” the government doing what it wanted to do, but that it was not enough to raise fees alone.
By
Mohamed Muzayyin Nazim
Jumhooree Party (JP) leader and Maamigili MP Gasim Ibrahim has urged the government to reduce expenses and recover dues instead of increasing the fees paid to the state by the people.
Gasim made the call while addressing a meeting of the National Security Services Committee (241) on Tuesday, which is studying the government's amendment to the Employment Act to increase some of the fees of foreign workers.
At Monday’s committee meeting that examined the bill, Gasim became very angry and spoke out against it. However, at Tuesday's meeting, Gasim was somewhat calm.
Before we get to that point, we need to understand the areas where the state needs to reduce costs safely and securely and do what we need to do for a year and a half.
At Tuesday's meeting, Gasim expressed his dissatisfaction with the bill's design to increase foreigners' fees at state convenience and without the consent of parliament with the amendment. He said the problems cannot be solved by increasing fees alone.
"If we do it this way, the government will not have to come to Parliament to do this [increase fees]. The government can do it without the parliament say-so. Regardless, we are not trying to stand against the government. Do not assume such a thing. We are always working for the benefit of the country, the people and the government,” said Gasim, who has been speaking in defence of the government since it came to power.
"The Parliament is here for a purpose. If the government wants, we are positive to do whatever is good for the country and the people”.
If this is what the president wants and asks, then I shall oblige. But this alone will bring no solutions.
Gasim called on the government to investigate the number of foreign workers in Maldives and how many of them are paying their fees in accordance with the rules. He also said that the state should recover the money it has not received.
"How many people are not paying [money]? No government is able to solve the problem of people who are not paying. The last government, the government before that and even this government are trying to find a way to go about it. If all those accruing funds can be recovered, won't that be enough? It will bring double the amount that is received now,” said Gasim, who is one of the highest taxpayers to the state.
Noting that he did not wish to bring foreigners, Gasim said:
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Foreigners have to be brought in because locals are not available for some jobs; that is why many industries are dominated by foreign workers
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Foreigners are now required to take care of children and even within the fishing industry
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Amending the law so that the government can increase the fees expatriates have to pay whenever it wants will be a moved that will create hatred towards the government
"If this is what the president wants and asks, then I shall oblige. But this alone will bring no solutions," he said.
He said the increase in such fees and taxes would cause unrest among the people and the feelings of the people should be considered.
“We need to understand how much the financing cost incurred on the projects is going up. It remains to be seen how much it is changing inflation. We [MPs] should give good advice. Instead of saying yes to everything, there may be points that even those sitting there [in the government] might understand,” he said, adding that parliament is also for the same purpose.
Gasim repeatedly said he was “not against” the government doing what it wanted to do, but that it was not enough to raise fees alone.
"When [the fees] go up to a certain amount, and even if they set them, even if the state makes laws, and even if they make regulations, people can't pay them”, Gasim said.
“So before we get to that point, we need to understand the areas where the state needs to reduce costs safely and securely and do what we need to do for a year and a half”.
If the fees are increased without taking other measures, the government will suffer public scorn, he said. He added:
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He speaks for the record, to speak for the fact; however, if the PNC members see fit, he will vote for them too
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He said he did not want to be beaten by every government for refusing to do what the government wants
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He has been tortured by many governments; he has had enough
“We are talking about a solution that is agreeable for both the members and the government. We've got a lot of ways to reduce costs. The point is to ensure that enforcing this does not anger the public,' he said.
Disagreement over the fine of MVR 50,000
Following the debate, he again spoke against the clause during the committee's discussion about imposing hefty fines on those found guilty of negligence with expatriates.
The bill provides for a fine of MVR 50,000 for each negligent employee.
Besides Gasim, some members, including the leader of the MNP in the coalition, Maafannu North MP Mohamed Nazim, also agreed that it was too large a fine. So Nazim offered to stipulate a fine amount between MVR 5,000 and MVR 50,000.
Prior to Nazim's proposal, PNC MP from Hithadhoo Central Constituency Ahmed Azaan proposed that the clause be held as it was in the bill. PNC MP from Hulhudhoo constituency Mohamed Shahid voted in favour of the motion, and four of the eight lawmakers voted to pass it.
Azaan's motion was passed with the vote of the committee chairman, Eydhafushi constituency PNC member Ahmed Saleem.
The committee has seven PNC members.
