While setting a minimum wage was absolutely necessary, even with the minimum wage being set, civil service salaries are below expectations, even for those with a higher education.
President's Office
In a country like the Maldives, where day-to-day living expenses and bills are as high as your entire monthly salary, the news of a salary increase is always received with happiness and excitement. And it looks like it's finally time for civil servants to look forward to a celebration as the Government has finally announced the news about a salary increment that many have been waiting for years!
During the Presidential speech given at the inauguration of the first session of the Parliament, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih gave civil servants news that they have been waiting for years as he announced the Government plans to increase their salaries.
While there are many branches to civil service workers, commonly civil servants are referred to as those who work in Government offices. And while civil service jobs are seen as one of the most respectful jobs to have as civil servants are working alongside the Government to bring about positive changes for the benefit of the public, the wages paid to civil servants often do not align with the amount of work that they are doing.
One of the biggest changes in the salaries of civil servants working in Government offices was seen in 2022 when the Maldives set a minimum wage which saw many underpaid workers finally getting a raise. And while this change was absolutely necessary, even with the minimum wage being set, civil service salaries are below expectations, even for those with higher education.
During his Presidential speech, the President announced more changes that are to come in the future when it comes to civil service workers' salaries.
“Employees in government offices who do not receive a 35 percent allowance will be receiving that allowance starting from May 1 as well. And university employees will also receive a higher salary from March onwards,”
This was also extended to healthcare workers who have been underpaid and under-appreciated for a long-time coming, especially after their tireless efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the importance of healthcare workers was really highlighted worldwide.
President Solih also announced that the healthcare workers in the Maldives will receive a higher salary starting May 2023 as part of an ongoing plan to bring positive changes to the salary of all civil service employees. Under this same plan, on May 2022 a 56 percent salary increment was brought about for teachers raising their pay from MVR 12,628 to MVR 19,740 per month excluding overtime pay.
“I have harmonized the salary of all education sector employees like I said last year. The positive changes were brought in the timeframe I vowed to do it in. Next, for this year is the health sector. All healthcare workers will receive a higher salary starting from May 1st, by the will of God”.
While teachers saw an increase in their salaries last year, lecturers who teach in Universities were excluded, which confused many as lecturers and teachers both fall under the same umbrella of the education sector. However, during his speech, the President also noted that increased salaries for lecturers will also take place in March 2023 alongside healthcare workers.
With the salary increments to take place in the coming months of 2023, by the end of this project the Government aims to increase the overall salary of all Government employees.
