State Wage Policy Bill returned to parliament for a third time

President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom has returned the State Wage Policy Bill to the parliament for reconsideration, for a third time.

The bill was passed by the parliament twice and sent to former President Dr Mohamed Waheed for ratification during his presidency, but was returned to the parliament for consideration each time.

President’s Office said that President Yameen did not ratify the bill after being advised by the Attorney General (AG) that the bill requires further review and modification.

The bill states that a Pay Commission must be established to determine public sector salaries and salary structures, which will consist of five members appointed for five-year terms by the President.

According to the bill, this commission will be chaired by the Minister of Finance and Treasury, and all members excluding the President and Vice President of the Commission will work part-time. Their salaries will be decided by the President based counsel given by the parliament.

The bill, containing 27 articles, further states that Consumer Price Index must be considered in the determination of public sector salaries. The salaries should be indexed to inflation and should sustain and improve people’s standard of living, states the bill.

It states in Article 18 that the Pay Commission’s decisions regarding wage policies will require parliament approval before they are implemented.

The bill was submitted by Kulhudhuffushi South MP Mohamed Nasheed in 2011.