Finance Minister Abdullah Jihad has stated that the Government is providing many benefits that are otherwise borne by the public.
He made the statement answering a question posed regarding the minimum wage by an MP in the budget committee on next year’s budget. Minister Jihad said that the state had been granting many benefits to the public, which compensates for the lack of a minimum wage. He noted the amount of money spent on subsidies, pensions, allowances for the aged and single mothers, citing that Maldives was the only nation to grant free medical insurance to all citizens.
Minister Jihad said that as per the Government policy, a freezing ban will be instated, but will work with the private sector to create more jobs. He added that most companies were hesitant to hand out jobs to locals, citing that it was vital that youth changed their outlook on work.
Government providing many benefits that are otherwise borne by public: Jihad
