Maldives president forgoes 50% salary, 10% for political appointees

President Mohamed Muizzu on Wednesday announced a series of measures aimed at reducing government expenditure, to be introduced as part of the 2025 budget under an economic reform agenda.

These measures, announced in a post on X, are planned for a period of two years and target various levels of public officials and employees of government-owned companies.

The measures include a 10% reduction in salaries for political office bearers.

Additionally, a 10% deduction will be applied to the salaries of employees of government-owned companies, excluding banks. A cap of MVR 90,000 will be imposed on the salaries of employees at these companies, in contrast to the existing salary structure which allows for payments exceeding MVR 100,000.

Heads of independent institutions will also see a 10% reduction in their salaries, while a request will be made for a similar reduction in the salaries of judicial officials and members of parliament.

The president noted that these measures would exclude individuals earning below MVR 12,000 per month.

As part of this initiative, President Muizzu also announced that he would forego 50% of his own salary during this period.