Minister says councils are in talks over pay cuts caused by new salary framework

Local Government Minister Adam Shareef Umar said on Saturday that several councils have raised concerns over changes to the state pay framework introduced last November, and discussions are underway with the Pay Commission and the Ministry of Finance to find a solution.

Speaking on state media’s Raajje Miadhu programme, Shareef said the revised salary structure has created financial strain for councils, particularly in covering administrative staff salaries.

“One of the biggest difficulties facing councils right now is the change in the pay framework. Councils will have to spend more on salaries from this year. Some councils have raised concerns with us, and we are working with the Pay Commission and the Finance Ministry,” Shareef said.

ޕޭ ކޮމިޝަނުން މުސާރައިގެ އޮނިގަނޑަށް ގެނައި ބަދަލުގެ ސަބަބުން، އެއްވެސް މުވައްޒަފަކަށް ލިބޭ ޖުމުލަ އާމްދަނީ މަދު ނުވާނެ ކަމަށް، ރައީސުލްޖުމްހޫރިއްޔާ ޑރ.މުހައްމަދު މުއިއްޒު ތަކުރާރުކޮށް ވިދާޅުވި ނަމަވެސް، 2025 ޑިސެމްބަރު މަހުގެ މުސާރަ ޖަމާވިއިރު، ގިނަ މުވައްޒަފުންނަށް ކުރިން…

— Adam Azim, Mayor of Male’ City (@adamazim) December 30, 2025

His remarks came after Male’ City Mayor Adam Azim publicly criticised the salary reductions affecting administrative staff and other civil servants at the council. In a post on social media, Azim said the monthly salary is the foundation of every employee’s livelihood, covering rent, food, bills, tuition fees, loans and other essential needs.

He said the sudden deduction of a large portion of salaries, without prior notice, has left families struggling to cope. Azim also noted that many council employees already work for low wages and that the impact of the revised framework extends beyond councillors.

Concerns over the new pay structure have been echoed across sectors. Civil servants in various roles have reported salary reductions, and some judiciary employees recently staged a silent protest dressed in black.

The government has not yet announced any changes to the framework, but discussions with relevant institutions are ongoing.