Parliament Approves Salaries and Ramadan Allowance for WDCs

Parliament has approved the government’s proposal to provide official salaries and a Ramadan allowance to Women’s Development Committees (WDCs), replacing the previous allowance they received.

The amendment to the Decentralisation Act was submitted by Ahmed Zameer, an MP from the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC). It was passed without changes, receiving unanimous support from all 72 MPs who participated in the vote.

advertisement

advertisement

advertisement

Under the amendment, WDC members will be included in the National Pay Commission, following the advice of the Local Government Authority. This change ensures that they will also receive the Ramadan allowance, which is set at MVR 3,000 per employee.

The bill further aims to simplify the process for WDCs to access funding for their activities through grants allocated to councils by the government.

According to the revised law, WDC Presidents of city councils will receive a salary and allowances totalling MVR 7,000, while Vice Presidents will receive MVR 6,500. Members will be entitled to MVR 6,000.

For WDCs under island councils, Presidents will receive MVR 6,000, Vice Presidents MVR 5,500, and members MVR 5,000.