Improved Pay Framework For Healthcare Sector Workers Now In Effect

On May 1^st, the new and improved pay structure for healthcare sector workers became effective, bringing huge increments in wages to over 3000 local employees. Earlier this year, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih made remarks about an improved pay structure for health sector employees during his Presidential Address at the opening of the People’s Majlis.

At a press conference held last Sunday, the details of the salary increments were shared by the Minister of Health, Ahmed Naseem, Minister of Gender, Family and Social Services, Aishath Mohamed Didi and the Secretary General of the National Pay Commission, Dr Mohamed Faizal. Dr Faizal stated that changes brought to the pay framework will be observed in all allied health fields and pay will be commensurate with qualifications. This will encourage workers to pursue professional development and resolve the challenges faced in employing trained local staff in certain areas.

Speaking further, Dr Faizal also added that the modified pay structure is expected to address the difficulties faced in seeking trained professionals specialized in areas such as oncology in regional hospitals across the country. Overall, a total of 3,710 local health sector employees will benefit directly from the wage increase. Expatriates working in the sector have been exempted from the pay rises.

With the pay structure in full effect now, the government also implemented another significant change on May 1^st as well. Employees who have not received a 35% allowance working in government ministries would immediately start receiving their incremented allowance. The President stated that the combined changes to the pay structure of the health sector employees and the remaining employees beginning to receive the 35 percent allowance would benefit 9,838 government employees and that MVR 482 million is required annually to support the pay increments.

Photo credits: WHO Maldives