4% of salaries for political appointees, minister says
President Muizzu announced a series of cost-cutting measures under the government's economic reform agenda
Finance minister Moosa Zameer said on Thursday that 4% of the government's total salary and allowances expenditure is allocated for the salaries of political appointees.
He made the remarks while presenting a supplementary budget of MVR 5 billion in parliament.
Zameer emphasised that the decision to reduce the salaries of political employees for the next two years was aimed at lowering the cost of running the government. He also noted that measures to reduce government expenses were beginning to show results.
“We are working through many controls to curb expenditure on transportation and holding ceremonies, and the results are being seen,” Zameer said.
He explained that the government’s ongoing measures are focused on restoring fiscal sustainability.
On Wednesday, President Mohamed Muizzu announced a series of cost-cutting measures under the government's economic reform agenda. The measures include:
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A 10% deduction in the salary of political office bearers
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A 10% deduction in the salaries of employees of government-owned companies, except for banks
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A maximum salary limit of MVR 90,000 for company heads
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A request for a 10% reduction in the salaries of judicial officials and members of parliament
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The decision for the President to forgo 50% of his own salary
Following the president’s announcement, speaker of parliament Abdul Raheem Abdulla, who is also the MP for Fonadhoo, declared that he would also forgo 50% of his salary.
