The People’s Majlis has passed a resolution to increase the salaries of the Speaker of Parliament, government ministers, and the Chief Justice.
The decision to raise the salaries of the Speaker and cabinet ministers was approved with 42 members voting in favour, while 12 members voted against the motion.
Similarly, the pay hike for the Chief Justice was passed with the support of 40 members. Twelve members voted against the increase.
Under these changes, the Speaker’s monthly salary will rise from MVR 73,000 to MVR 95,000. For cabinet ministers, the car allowance will increase from MVR 7,500 to MVR 17,500. Additionally, effective today, the Chief Justice’s total remuneration will increase from MVR 91,000 to MVR 95,125.
The Parliament also approved a new service allowance of MVR 5,000 for all local council presidents, vice presidents, and island councillors. With this adjustment, the monthly pay for island council presidents will rise from MVR 25,500 to MVR 30,500, vice presidents' pay will increase to MVR 25,000, and councillors' salaries will go from MVR 18,000 to MVR 23,000.
These salary increments come amid growing public criticism over the government’s plan to grant half of Rasmalé land to the company Eagle Hills.
Opposition figures have alleged that these pay raises were implemented to discourage heads of state branches from speaking out against the controversial project.
