Disparity grows despite efforts for pay harmonization
The issue is compounded by the fact that the Pay Commission did not seek advice from the CSC, which oversees the largest number of employees, in setting up the new pay framework.
csc.gov.mv
The Maldives has been grappling with a persistent issue of pay disparity among civil servants, despite ongoing efforts to address it. Recent statements from Civil Service Commission (CSC) President Mohamed Nasih highlight that the goal of pay harmonization remains unfulfilled, and in fact, the disparity has worsened over the years.
Nasih pointed out that while the Pay Commission has introduced a new pay system for health service employees and teachers, this initiative did not extend comprehensively across other sectors. The work towards pay harmonization stalled, leaving a large number of civil service employees outside the new pay structure. This has resulted in an even stronger pay disparity than before.
The issue is compounded by the fact that the Pay Commission did not seek advice from the CSC, which oversees the largest number of employees, in setting up the new pay framework. Nasih emphasized that the disparity emerged because the Pay Commission, rather than the CSC, determined the conditions for the new framework.
Efforts to mitigate these disparities have seen some progress. The government has announced salary increments for various civil service sectors. For instance, in 2022, teachers received a significant pay raise, and healthcare workers were promised increased salaries starting May 2023. However, many administrative staff have not seen any changes in their pay over the same period.
Furthermore, the implementation of a minimum wage for civil servants, which began in December 2021, aimed to ensure a baseline salary. Despite this, the minimum wage allowance did not entirely address the pay inequities across different civil service ranks, as disparities still exist depending on the rank and role of the employees.
Although the measures being taken to improve the wage disparity, especially in the civil service sector were welcomed by employees, in addition to the current economic situation as well as the measures being taken to reduce debt, the question on how attainable the pay harmonization still remains. With some sectors seeing a salary increase in 2023 while other sectors still await the fulfilment of this promise, the question on whether the pay disparity will get resolved in the Maldives is a question that can only be answered in time. While there is no question whether civil servants need a salary increment or not, how attainable this goal is fully depends on the country’s budget and ability to manage its debt as well.
Source: https://corporatemaldives.com/civil-servants-to-receive-a-minimum-wage-allowance/
