Senior citizens allowance hike added to president’s manifesto for second term

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, on Sunday night, announced his decision to include raising the senior citizens allowance in his manifesto for a second presidential term.

Addressing the residential community of Addu City during a dinner held on Sunday night as part of the president’s ongoing official visit to the city, President Solih revealed that efforts were underway to revise the framework pertaining to senior citizens allowance for a positive change.

“Next is for senior citizens; the change we need to bring to the allowance issued to senior citizens. We are revising the framework. The necessary changes will be identified and implemented in the future. These are minor inclusions in our next manifesto,” he said.

He also revealed that administration is poised to unveil the updated framework for the disability allowance shortly.

President Solih announced the government’s plans to raise the disability allowance during his annual address back in February. In May, the President’s Office’s Spokesperson Miuvaan Mohamed said disability allowance will be raised this month.  

“What I have to say regarding it (disability allowance hike) while standing here today we will complete all the necessary work on our side and make an official announcement very soon. There will be a positive change,” he said.

However, President Solih did not disclose any further details regarding the hike of either of the allowances.

Speaking further, President Solih said that pay hike will be implemented for all pending sectors as part of his administration’s pay harmonization initiative.

He assured commitment to upholding peace and unity across the Maldives should he win a second term – which he said his administration placed paramount importance on in the past five years.