Former MDP chairperson and economic minister Fayyaz Ismail has described the Public Accounts Committee’s approval of allowance increases for the Speaker of Parliament, ministers’ drivers and island councillors as a huge insult to citizens facing higher living costs.
The committee approved a proposal from ruling PNC MP Abdulla Shareef granting Speaker Abdul Raheem Abdulla a new monthly allowance of MVR 22,000. This raises the Speaker’s monthly remuneration to MVR 95,125. The measure addresses the fact that the Speaker does not receive the committee allowance available to ordinary MPs and the Deputy Speaker.
Additional adjustments for ministers’ drivers raise their driving allowance to MVR 12,000, petrol allowance to MVR 2,000 and introduce a MVR 3,000 living allowance, for a total of MVR 17,000. A MVR 5,000 flat monthly service allowance increase was also approved for all island council tiers, bringing presidents to MVR 30,500, vice-presidents to MVR 25,000 and members to MVR 23,000.
Fayyaz stated that Parliament has done no real work and the government has achieved no tangible results, yet decided to raise salaries for ministers and the Speaker. He questioned the priority given the soaring prices and struggles faced by many people.
Opposition MDP MP Abdul Ghafoor Moosa voted against the measure, citing economic conditions. The ruling majority supported the proposals.
Public reaction has included criticism that the increases contrast with minimum wage levels, which stand at MVR 7,000 for public sector workers and lower ranges in the private sector. The decisions have drawn comments from citizens highlighting the gap between political compensation and ordinary wages.
