The government of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has disclosed that there are 345 employees at the President's Office eight months after assuming office.
The President's Office website now has information about the employees, including the President, and their remuneration as of August 6.
Employees of the President's Office are included among the government's political appointees. The government has, for the past eight months, withheld details about employees at the President's Office.
Journalists and members of the public repeatedly submitted Right to Information (RTI) requests to get the information.
Salaries and Allowances at the President's Office
- Salary - MVR 4,110,173 per month
- Pension - MVR 290,724.56 per month
- Living Allowance - MVR 1,437,000
- Exclusive Job Allowance - MVR 1.008,947.75,
- Service Allowance - MVR.509,500
- Special Allowance - MVR 119,000
- Qualification Allowance - MVR. 537,000
- Admin Allowance - MVR 100,250
- Auxiliary Allowance - MVR 41,300
- Food Allowance - MVR 7,200
- Car Allowance - MVR 52,500
- Phone Allowance - MVR 49,870
According to the data, the President’s Office spends a total of MVR 8,263,465 per month on salaries and allowances. That is MVR 99 million every year and MVR 495 million for five years.
The government came to power with a promise not to exceed 700 political employees. However, there are 831 political employees in the 19 ministries that complied with RTI requests by Adhadhu. The number rises to 1,178 with the President's Office.
Political employees also include employees at the official residence of the President and Vice President. However, the number of employees working at the two facilities has not yet been disclosed. The government said it could not disclose the details of the employees at Muleeaage, the President's official residence.
Although the government has broken its promise, leading figures of the ruling People's National Congress on July 31 hinted that more political employees will be hired in the coming days.
