Ameer to President: Council administrative staff’s salaries set by Pay Commission

Former Finance Minister Ibrahim Ameer has denied President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s claim that the issue of the salaries of local councils’ administrative staff can only be resolved within the parliament.

President Muizzu, in response to a query by  Moosa Sabir from N. Naalafushi – an administrative staff at the island’s council regarding salary increments for administrative staff in the civil service on the ‘Raees ge Javaabu’ series Monday, acknowledged the salaries of administrative staff in local councils are low

The President, citing that the parliament has categorized the salaries of council staff in a very low tier, said the issue can only be resolved within the parliament.

“That is the main issue. Even if the government, via Finance Ministry, wishes to increase the salaries, it cannot be done due to the categorization,” he said.

“An immediate remedy can be brought to this through the parliament. By undertaking various efforts within the parliament,” he added.

President Muizzu expressed his wish to increase the salaries of all employees in general. However, he said this can only be achieved once the economy is further strengthened and there is an increase in revenue.

Refuting the claim via a post on X, Ameer said the salaries and allowances of council administrative staff are set down by the National Pay Commission.

He added that it is the Pay Commission that has formulated the pay metrics and the salary framework, stressing that the parliament does not undertake this work.

“The budget passed for 2024 includes increasing the salaries of civil service (staff). Pay Commission has categorized the tiers of the offices,” he said.

Ameer said the Pay Commission has categorized the tiers of offices, detailing it has only been done for the purpose of setting down the allowances of various posts.