Maldives has implemented a major hike in the pay of health workers, ahead of Labor Day.

The decision was announced by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih in a national address Sunday morning.

According to the president, the pay hikes will come into effect Monday, coinciding with Labor Day.

In his address, President Solih said senior registered nurses had received an average monthly salary of MVR 20,459 with overtime pay. He said that with the change, they will receive an average salary of MVR 29,271, without OT.

Meanwhile, the average salary of specialist nurses will increase to MVR 41,976 without OT.

Senior medical officers previously received an average monthly salary of MVR 28,727 with OT. They will hereafter receive MVR 41,541 without OT.

President Solih said that medical practitioners will now have more opportunities to advance their careers, and the highest-ranking sub-specialist consultants will now receive an average salary of MVR 98,137 without OT.

“The salary of the aforementioned workers will further increase with OT,” he said.

President Solih said that the salary of social service sector workers, including psychologists, counselors, social workers, and social service workers has also been increased.

Social service workers had previously received an average monthly salary of MVR 12,944 with OT. They will hereafter receive MVR 21,585 without OT – making for a 67 percent hike.

“All workers in government institutions who have yet to receive the 35 percent allowance will begin receiving it starting May 1,” said the president.

According to President Solih, the decision will increase the salary of 9,839 health workers. He said that an average of MVR 482 million will go from the annual state budget to fund the changes.

“We hope to increase interest in the health sector among Maldivians with this change. And to improve the quality of healthcare services,” he said.

President Solih said his administration’s pay harmonization initiative is designed to ensure workers receive appropriate renumeration and to eliminate pay differences. He said that once fully implemented, it will produce positive changes to the salary of all civil servants.

The initiative will involve all civil servants, including the judiciary, security services, imams and muezzins, he said.

President Solih’s administration had previously increased the salary of education sector workers and higher education and training sector workers.

“There is a great need to make positive changes to healthcare workers. The development of this sector and the quality of services provided by this sector depends on human resources. The salary healthcare workers had been receiving does not meet the hard work they do,” he said.