They raised their salaries from MRF 4500/- to MRF 18,000/- ... Not enough they say ... They decide that they needed to be paid MRF 42,500/- with an additional bonus of MRF 20,000/- as allowance etc , a total of MRF 62,500/-, to serve the people of Maldives.
later in December 2010, they come to agree MRF 62,500/- is not just enough a salary for them to make laws in a country that barely has a population of 400000, so they agreed among themselves "lets get an extra MRF 20,000/- ... ummm and we shall call it Committee Allowance".
"Scumbags", "Blood suckers","Opportunists" ... One will call them ... Its indeed Daylight robbery !!!
With the pressing economic crisis in the country with its people going bankrupt every day, the Parliamentarians we elected are finding themselves enjoying life in Maldives the 'lofty style'. Opening more coffee shops and more businesses with what they seem to call money of welfare funds for their constituencies.
Apparently one very amusing fact here is that they say these earnings they get are earnings of their constituencies (of which they spend on the people) ... wonder how many out of the 77 constituencies in Maldives have been blessed with such 'glee'.
Apparently one very amusing fact here is that they say these earnings they get are earnings of their constituencies (of which they spend on the people) ... wonder how many out of the 77 constituencies in Maldives have been blessed with such 'glee'.
With 77 members in the Parliament, each demanding a salary of MRF 62,500/- , Maldives is spending MRF 481,250,0/- per month, i.e MRF 577,500,00/- per year, only as salaries to the MP's. With the addition of another MRF 20,000/- each, this will make a grand total of MRF 635,250,0/- a month, i.e MRF 762,300,00/- per year.
The Knee-slapper here is that in Maldives, sitting Parliamentarians can have the entire treasury of the country at their disposal to decide what they will be taking and what they will be leaving to the rest. MP's are able to increase their salaries and allowances whenever and however they want as the salary and allowances they get are entirely up to them to decide.
Attempt by Independent MP Mohamed Nasheed (Kutti) who put in a proposal to cut down the MP salary (with allowances) to MRF 37,000/- failed when the proposal was kicked out from the floor. Seems no one wants to cut down what they are getting after all its a huge amount to spend on luxury and duty/tax free cars. "libey thaa libigah naa shey", a Maldivian saying which means to "get it while you are getting it", seems to be the motto of the current lawgivers around in the Majilis.
Earlier today, MDP Vice President MP Alhan fahmy was reported publicly saying that he will keep on taking the salary and that he supports and will also take the additional MRF 20,000/- as committee allowance. He also says that his party is not against it.
Now this brings us to another absurd fact. MDP, or lets say the Government, seems to be telling its people that the country "does not have money" and that they "are trying to cut down the expenditure".
How is one suppose to believe this when the Countries legislature, which has a majority of MDP members (who seems to be advocating that they are "trying to cut down the expense") are sucking out some 63 million each year simply to pay for the rather too "Honorary 77 Members" or lets say "Royalties" of our time.
How is one suppose to believe this when the Countries legislature, which has a majority of MDP members (who seems to be advocating that they are "trying to cut down the expense") are sucking out some 63 million each year simply to pay for the rather too "Honorary 77 Members" or lets say "Royalties" of our time.
This seems to be rather too hilarious !!!
There are students abroad studying on government scholarships, who are faced with finical adversities due to the change in dollar rate. There is an entire Civil service in the country, some taking up responsibilities to look after large families, who depend on every bit of income, who's basic salary has been cut down due to the worsening economic turmoil. Prices in the market has reached to alarming inflation rates, rates the country has never seen before.
Yet its 'hallelujah' for our ever so greedy lawmakers. Such a pity !!!
The countries President is paid MRF 100,000/- per month (i.e. MRF 120,000,00/- per year) as by law while his spouse is paid an amount equivalent to one third of the his salary which is MRF 33,333,33/. However, it seem the cabinet decided to cut down salaries of the President, Vice President and Ministers salary 25% as of middle last year due to the economic recession. The Presidents seems to be OK with a salary cut down to MRF 75,000/- for the time being.
 |
The graph above show the increase in MP's salary in recent years. Taken from Ahmed Wajeeh
wall photos Facebook.