Salary framework will be another burden on state economy- Gasim

Opposition Jumhooree Party leader and local philanthropist Gasim Ibrahim has expressed concern over the revised salary framework endorsed by the Peoples’ Majlis last week.

He said that the revised salary framework will add to the burdens on the current economic state of Maldives.

The Ari Atoll Maamingili MP Gasim Ibrahim said that the salaries of the MPs should be cut down to over come the ill effects that the revised salary framework may have on the economy of the state.

Gasim said that the country have been passing deficit budgets continuously for 3 to 4 years. He said we must accept the fact that the deficit is going over board and now the state debt has reached more than 6 billion. He added that this shows the economic state of the country.

“We are unable to get foreign exchange for our currency. When we in such a state that we are unable to provide for our students studying abroad and our sick, then we should agree that the salaries we are taking is more than what our economy can take. Ergo, knowing and accepting this reality of the state of affairs, I say that we should be exemplars, supporting some of what Hulhuhenveiru MP just said,” Gasim said.

Furthermore, Gasim said that since the Majlis has the authority to revise and amend the constitution of Maldives, the Majlis is the highest state power in that regard.

“Even though the President is acclaimed as the highest authority, this respected Majlis still has the power to depose the President. Therefore, we should be exemplars…So let us cut down our salaries,” he said.