Customs salary hike planned within MVR 270M cap

Maldives Customs has announced plans to increase employee salaries next year, while staying within the government’s proposed salary expenditure ceiling of MVR 270 million.

Speaking during budget discussions, Commissioner General Fathimath Dhiyana said the Finance Ministry allocated MVR 270 million for staff salaries and MVR 46 million for office operations, bringing the total to MVR 316 million, excluding PSIP projects.

Dhiyana noted that the Finance Ministry submitted a budget of MVR 297 million, which is MVR 19 million less than Customs’ original request. She said discussions are ongoing with the ministry to secure additional facilities, including a container scanner, work on which began last year.

Finance Minister Moosa Zameer has assured that Customs salaries will be increased next year, Dhiyana said. Chief Superintendent Abdullah Ali, who oversees the Customs budget, added that the salary hike is progressing and will be formalized under the pay harmonization framework by 2026.

“Our salary harmonization process is going fast. The assurance we have is that the Finance Ministry will increase our salaries by 2026,” Abdullah said.

He also noted that 27 items are being procured for the container scanner, which is expected to boost Customs revenue by curbing smuggling.

Dhiyana said new sections have been established at Customs headquarters for surveillance and control operations. With adequate staffing and resources, she said container management and scanning will become more efficient.

Abdullah added that the salary structure for Customs employees has remained unchanged for 13 years, and an additional MVR 73 million will be needed to cover salaries for 270 staff next year.