The Civil Service Commission (CSC) has decided to cut the salaries of Secretaries General (SGs) working in island and city councils, with the new salary structure set to take effect next month.

In a circular sent to Permanent Secretaries, Council Presidents, and Secretaries General, CSC Secretary General Abdulla Saeed directed offices to implement the revised salary arrangements starting in August, in accordance with the changes approved by the National Pay Commission.

The circular states that the Pay Commission has adjusted the executive allowance for council Secretaries General. Currently, city council SGs receive MVR 28,095 as their executive allowance, but under the new scheme, this will be reduced to MVR 23,065, a decrease of MVR 5,030.

A senior official from an island council, speaking anonymously to Sun on Tuesday, said that salaries for directors working under the Secretaries General will be increased under the new structure. He mentioned that many SGs have played an important role in strengthening administrative management within councils and viewed the salary cut as a step backward.

He also noted that complaints tend to increase whenever salary structures are altered and expressed concerns that recent pay revisions have not had a positive impact on judiciary and legal staff.