Migration Allowance to Offset Salary Losses Under New Civil Service Pay Scheme

The government will introduce a migration allowance to offset salary reductions faced by some civil servants under the recently implemented pay harmonisation scheme, a Civil Service Commission (CSC) official told Parliament’s Committee on Independent Institutions today.

Addressing the committee, CSC Secretary General Abdulla Saeed said that despite public perception of widespread salary increases, the Pay Commission’s work focused primarily on restructuring and harmonising the civil service pay system. He noted that employees who previously received high overtime payments may now earn less under the new structure.

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“Some were earning between 250 and 300 per cent in overtime — for example, taking home MVR 21,000 with a basic salary of MVR 7,000,” Saeed explained. He said the Pay Commission is attempting to “offset the decrease by offering a relocation allowance if there is a salary cut”.

Saeed added that certain ranks had been shifted to a new structure earlier, meaning those employees may not receive the same level of increment now. In such cases, he said, the Pay Commission hopes to compensate them with the migration allowance to ensure salaries do not fall below previous levels.

The Pay Commission announced the revised civil service pay structure last month. One major point of public criticism has been the variation in attendance allowances between ranks. Some MPs raised the issue during today’s session.

Responding, CSC representatives said attendance allowance is calculated based on basic salary and therefore varies by rank. Pay Commission President Mohamed Mujthaz said the difference reflects varying levels of responsibility. He acknowledged he does not personally support differentiated attendance allowances, but said the structure was designed by the Pay Commission.

Under new rules, all matters relating to salaries fall exclusively under the Pay Commission. Saeed said the CSC only learned of the newly announced changes when they were made public on 31 October.

In September, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu pledged that salaries across the civil service, judiciary, and local councils would be standardised and raised from 1 November. He later said the Pay Commission would address concerns or confusion around the changes.

According to the government, more than 20,000 employees across the civil service, judiciary, and local government have seen salary increases since the changes took effect, with further adjustments planned for next year. 

Amid concerns regarding overtime allowances, the President on 5 November urged all state institutions to work closely with the Pay Commission to clarify issues and make adjustments where necessary. He noted the Commission retains discretion to revise allowances in special cases.

“The Pay Commission will communicate with all offices in the coming days — whether they are part of the civil service, judiciary, or councils — to explain the changes in detail,” President Muizzu said.