WDC salaries reduced twice in 24 hours: MVR 20K for presidents, MVR 15K for vice presidents now

The Finance Ministry has reduced the salaries of members of Women’s Development Committees (WDCs) twice within hours following a substantial increase by the National Pay Commission on Thursday.

According to the new framework published on Thursday, presidents of WDCs in cities will receive a monthly salary of MVR 41,000, while presidents of WDCs in islands will receive MVR 21,000 per month.

The revised salary structure also included increases for other committee members. Vice presidents of WDCs in cities will receive MVR 7,000 per month, while vice presidents WDCs in islands will be paid MVR 6,000. General members of WDCs in cities will receive MVR 6,000, while general members of WDCs in islands will receive MVR 5,000 monthly.

The pay framework published on Thursday drew intense scrutiny on social media, as the high salary rates for presidents and vice presidents of WDCs were approved at a time when the government is facing mounting pressure to reduce state expenditure.

The new salary rates set forth by the Finance Ministry mark the second revision since Thursday.

In this regard, the Ministry set the salaries of presidents of city WDCs at MVR 20,000 and the salaries of presidents of island WDCs at MVR 15,000.

The first revision set the salaries of presidents of WDCs in cities at MVR 33,000, without any changes to the salaries of presidents of WDCs in islands.

Prior to the revision, presidents of WDCs in cities received MVR 7,000, while presidents of WDCs on islands received MVR 6,000. As such, even the new salary rates mark a substantial increase. 

No changes have been made to the salaries of general members. 

The salary increment fulfills a key pledge by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu. Notably, during the last parliamentary election campaign, the President also pledged to strengthen WDCs and double their budget allocations if majority is secured. 

As part of broader efforts to support WDC members, the Parliament also recently approved a measure granting them a Ramadan allowance, which was implemented during the most recent fasting month.