MPs’ Salary Does Not Fit Living Expenses, MP Abbas Opposes Reducing Salaries
Photo: Parliament
Parliamentarian for Velidhoo constituency, Mohamed Abbas, said yesterday he is against lowering the salaries of parliamentarians as they carry out an important national duty and are not paid enough to cover existing living expenses.
A petition started by a private citizen, Mohamed Jalaal, on Change.org six days ago states that Maldivian citizens are highly concerned over the financial burden the state has to carry due to “high salaries, committee allowances, and premium health benefits received by Members of the Parliament (MPs).”
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“At a time when our nation is grappling with significant economic challenges, including growing national debt and budget deficits, it is imperative that we take steps to reduce unnecessary government expenses,” the petition said.
މަޖުލީސް މެންބަރުންގެ މުސާރާ އާ އިނާޔައްތައް ކުޑަކުރަން އަޅުގަނޑު ދެކޮޅު!މަޖުލީސް މެންބަރުން އަދާކުރަމުން މިދަނީ ވަރަށްބޮޑު ޤައުމީ ފަރުދީ ޒިންމާއެއް.ލިބޭ މުސާރައަކުން ދެކޮޅު ނުޖެހެ،ލިވިން އެލަވަންސް އަށް ވުރެ އެޕާޓްމެންޓު ތަކުގެ ކުލިބޮޑު..ދާއިރާގެ ކޮންމެ ރަށެއްގައި ހިންގާ…— Mohamed Abbas (@Abbasvelidhoo) April 1, 2025
In addition to decreasing the salaries MPs receive, the petition also calls to abolish committee allowances, equalize health benefits, and to eliminate former MP benefits as well.
Regarding the petition, parliamentarian Abbas, Vice President of the Maldives Democratic Alliance (MDA), stated on X that he opposes reducing the salaries and benefits of MPs, emphasizing that they perform a vital national duty on salaries that do not meet current living costs.
“… apartment rents are higher than the living allowance,” said Abbas in his post on X in Dhivehi.
In addition to their basic salaries, all parliamentarians receive a living allowance of MVR 20,000.
He also said it falls onto the parliamentarians’ shoulders to fund social activities that their constituency conducts, such as football tournaments and other development projects as well.
“The constituency’s citizens do not call other politicians that receive high salaries,” he said.
He accused the creator of the petition, claiming it was supported by politically motivated individuals and promoted for political gain. He stated that Maldivian citizens are currently in a dire situation, as despite receiving universal healthcare through Aasandha, only the parliamentarians cover the extra costs that Maldivian citizens must pay when seeking further medical care abroad.
“Today, some people are trying to reduce the salaries of the members of the parliament, the only people who extend aid towards citizens, to make the citizens’ dire situation worse! For no other reason,” he said.
Concerning the statements about the excessive health benefits the petition mentions, Abbas said that while the armed forces and police personnel’s health benefits include coverage for their parents and family, the same is not present for parliamentarians.
He urged people not to spread misinformation that would create confusion amongst the people.
However, today, he said he recognizes that the salaries of most ordinary citizens are not a livable wage. He is calling to reduce the number of political appointees and to ensure developmental projects carried out by the government are efficient as well.
ރައްޔިތުން މަޖުލީސް ގެ މެންބަރުންގެ %75 މެންބަރުންނަކީ ރާއްޖެތެރޭގެ މެންބަރުން ކަމައްވެފައި އެޕާޓްމެންޓު ތަކުގެ ރެންޓު މިހާރު ހުރި ރޭޓައްބަލާއިރު ރައްޔިތުން މަޖުލީސް ގެ މެންބަރުންނަށް ލިވިންގ އެލަވަންސްއަށް މިހާރު ލިބޭ 20000 ރުފިޔާގެ ބަދަލުގައި 35000 ރުފިޔާއަށް އަށް ބޮޑުކުރަން…— Mohamed Abbas (@Abbasvelidhoo) April 2, 2025
Additionally, he said 75 percent of parliamentarians are not from Male’, and based on current real estate prices in Male’, he will submit to increase the living allowance from MVR 20,000 to MVR 35,000. He said he has also submitted a proposal to change the current health benefit packages offered to parliamentarians to include family coverage as well.
Salaries and Benefits Parliamentarians Receive
The basic salary of a parliamentarian is MVR 42,500. They get a living allowance of MVR 20,000, making their total salary MVR 62,500.
The basic salary of the Speaker of the Parliament is MVR 53,125, while that of the Deputy Speaker is MVR 51,000. As they receive the same living allowance as other parliamentarians do, their total salaries are MVR 73,125 and MVR 71,000.
Committee allowances include MVR 20,000, which often increases the salaries parliamentarians take home as well.
Conversely, the minimum wage for a public sector employee is MVR 33.65 per hour and subject to a monthly amount of MVR 7,000, payable to employees working a minimum of 30 hours a week.
