President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has reaffirmed that the government’s actions reflect public sentiment and encouraged confidence in the recently implemented harmonised pay structure. He made the statement while addressing residents of Fuvahmulah during his ongoing visit to the city.
Referring to the implementation of the harmonised pay structure on 1 November 2025 for designated sectors, the President assured that the decision was based on extensive research to ensure that the benefits of the salary increments are realised over time.
He acknowledged that overtime has been a primary concern among employees following the introduction of the new framework and provided an example of how it has been organised. He noted that with the amendment to the Pay Framework, the overtime pay limit exceeds ten percent, and this issue has now been effectively addressed.
He also urged heads of relevant authorities to liaise with the National Pay Commission to address employees’ concerns and provide greater clarity. Furthermore, he noted that the National Pay Commission retains the discretion to make adjustments under special circumstances.
Emphasising that this is a Government of the people, President Dr Muizzu reiterated that public interest will always remain the Administration’s foremost priority. Noting that positive changes have been brought to the salaries of over 20,000 employees, he further assured that pay increments for other sectors, where adjustments have not yet been implemented, will take effect in 2026.
“The changes to the pay structure will increase the employees’ earnings, which in turn will improve their standard of living as well as enable them to save more,” he said.
Under the harmonised pay structure, the minimum wage has been set at USD 454. The President highlighted the positive impact this will have on employees’ pension funds and added that efforts are underway to introduce a more accessible system for utilising these funds.
He stated that these measures reflect the government’s commitment to fulfilling its pledges, with the aim of securing holistic and sustainable national development.
The National Pay Framework, established under the National Pay Policy Act, was developed by the National Pay Commission to standardise Government salaries and allowances across all sectors.
Earlier in the day, the President met with the Fuvahmulah City Council, the Women's Development Committee (WDC), and heads of local institutions to deliberate on the most significant issues raised by the community.
During the meeting, held at Kurudhumaa Maalan in the Fuvahmulah City Council, council members outlined the city's key development needs. As a top priority, they highlighted the urgent need to resolve ongoing problems with essential utility services, particularly water and electricity. The Council specifically requested intervention to address frequent water cuts and the establishment of reliable facilities for testing the safety of drinking water. They also noted that power cuts are occurring due to insufficient electricity capacity and requested a resolution before the month of Ramadan. Furthermore, they raised concerns about the challenges caused by the current powerhouse being located in a residential area, urging the expedited completion of the new powerhouse under construction and the prompt relocation of operations there.
The Council also emphasised the importance of completing the planned office complex, noting that the building is vital for consolidating all Government offices – which are currently scattered – under one roof.
Recognising Fuvahmulah’s growing tourism industry, the Council requested the establishment of a formal mechanism to allocate a specific percentage of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and Tourism Goods and Services Tax (TGST) revenue generated from the city to the Council. They also proposed that the City Hotel project, currently managed by the Maldives Airports Company Ltd (MACL), proceed in collaboration with the Fuvahmulah Local Council Authority.
Additional concerns raised by the Council included the airport expansion project, improved waste management and disposal, and the replacement of non-operational vehicles at the waste management site. They also discussed the pressing need for housing solutions and requested that the Council be allocated an uninhabited island from a nearby atoll.
Furthermore, the Council requested that all projects which commenced practical work in Fuvahmulah that day be completed without interruption, assuring the President of their full cooperation and support for all Government initiatives.
The President addressed the issues raised by the Council, while attending Ministers and heads of State-Owned Enterprises provided comprehensive updates on the progress of ongoing projects in the city.
In his meeting with the island residents, the President once again provided assurance that the projects undertaken in Fuvahmulah by the government will be completed as planned.
Earlier in the day, CT scanning services were launched in Fuvahmulah City Hospital.
The President said the government is developing a tertiary hospital in the city with funding from the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD). The project is progressing smoothly through SFD’s procurement process, and the necessary steps will be taken to hand over the project to consultants and contractors, he said. The project is expected to be completed by May and June next year.
The President further said the hospital will start providing additional services even before work on the tertiary hospital is commenced. He noted that while CT scan services has already started, the necessary equipment has been arranged to start mammography services. The President said that MRI services and a decompression chamber will be introduced soon.
"It will take a maximum of three months for the MRI equipment to arrive. This will be in the near future. However, the building will need additional space, and I believe that this, too, will be completed. It has been arranged to expand space as much as possible, even before the practical work on the tertiary hospital begins, to establish MRI services, decompression chamber, mammography service, and other services. The health service of this city will reach the highest standard as I have promised,” he said.
The practical work on the island’s 400-housing unit project was also launched as part of the President’s visit, while an agreement was signed to develop a further 75-housing units, with GLAT Investment Private Limited.
Speaking on the project during the resident meeting, the President said in addition to the 400 housing units being developed, the 75 housing units signed are part of the 500 housing units he promised. The government will continue to develop 500 housing units over the next two years as pledged, he assured.
While an agreement was signed as part of the visit to develop an office complex in Fuvahmulah, contracted to the Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC), the President described it as an important project for the employees and those seeking services. Instead of providing services from different locations, the people want services to be provided from a modern office complex under one roof, he said.
Highlighting the city’s harbour development project signed that day with Heavy Force Pvt Ltd, the President emphasised the project’s importance for Fuvahmulah. The new harbour is designed to connect with the existing harbour, and the work is being done after studying and working with the relevant consultant extensively, he said. The harbour project will provide an effective solution to the existing harbour challenges, he assured.
Noting that Fuvahmulah City is an island where significant contributions are made to the religious sector, the President spoke on the development of an Islamic Centre on the island, contracted the same day to AFAMI Maldives Pvt Ltd. He assured that the project would progress swiftly.
Touching on tourism, the President said the city’s tourism sector is growing, and said the people of Fuvahmulah will directly benefit from the island’s Eco Tourism and City Hotel project. While the development of a Sports Complex will bring growth in the sports sector, Phase III of Fuvahmulah City’s road development, contracted to MTCC, will see the modernisation of all of the city’s roads, he said.
The President noted that next year's budget will also include the development of a Waqf Building in Fuvahmulah as well as a synthetic track with the assistance of an Indian loan. In addition, efforts to secure an additional 1.2 MW generator set to solve the city’s power problem is also ongoing, he said. The generator set will be brought into service before the month of Ramadan, and bring an effective solution to the power issues, he assured. The President also said the government is undertaking important work to provide solar electricity.
As part of the visit, a groundbreaking ceremony was held to establish a branch of the National Library in Fuvahmulah City. The project was contracted to MTCC. The project will see the construction of a two-storey building across a 11,250 square metre area, with each floor measuring 5,625 square foot. The project was assigned to MTCC for USD 984,435, to be completed over 390 days.
The practical work of the Fuvahmulah Police Accommodation Block was also commenced, with the project contracted also to MTCC. The project will see a three-storey building constructed over 11,946 square metres and each floor measuring 3,982 square metres, completed over 360 days.
The practical work on the Gnaviyani Atoll Education Centre’s new five-storey building was also launched as part of the visit. Additionally, the groundbreaking ceremony for the development of a Waste Management Centre, contracted to Waste Management Corporation (WAMCO) was also held. Bank of Maldives (BML) ATM US Dollar ATM Service was also launched on the island, in addition to the official opening of the city’s new Futsal field in Maadhadu.