President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, who is campaigning for re-election, has pledged to increase the salaries of 44,281 state employees by at least 40 percent from January.
Speaking at a rally in Baa Thulhaadhoo, the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) presidential candidate said the budget for next year will include salary increases in many sectors under the pay harmonisation program.
"Pay harmonisation will be completed by bringing about a positive change in the salaries of all state employees. Army and police. All judicial employees. Corrections, customs, immigration. Imams," Solih said.
He said the change would increase the average salary by 40 percent and listed some examples.
- Police Constable: MVR 11,000 to 15,400
- Chief Inspector: MVR 34,300 to 48,000
- Army Private: MVR 11,500 to 16,100
- Council employees: MVR 7,200 to MVR 10, 500
- Civil Service Directors: MVR 16,000, 23,200
The salary increase has been calculated and scheduled and the details will be announced in the coming days, Solih said.
"How can someone who earns MVR 10,000 rent a place? We are trying to double the GDP. It is the responsibility of the state to distribute this income as equally as possible," he added.
