In his radio address of this week, President Nasheed has said if the government can set aside about Rf 2 billion from the Rf 5 billion wage bill, that will help to significantly improve the quality of life for the poor.

The President said the government aimed to provide greater support to the citizens who were below the poverty line.

UN surveys show there are about 40% Maldivians who were below the poverty line.

Some of the support measures already taken included the provision of a monthly allowance and a free health insurance scheme for the elderly, said the President.

He said the government was also working to provide other benefits such as subsidized electricity, subsidized basic foods, and subsidized education, to those in the low income bracket.

Mr Nasheed said there should be a permanent source of money to fully establish such a social protection programme. He added the government could accomplish this within the current 5-year term.

On the government’s cost cutting measures, the President said that international financial institutions now had a different view on the Maldives.

The President said he believed the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank and the International Monetary Fund would provide assistance to the Maldives to alleviate the current economic and fiscal difficulties.

Speaking to an audience attended by the leading entrepreneurs and businesses, President Nasheed also delivered a speech on the government’s fiscal, monetary and financial policies, yesterday.

In the radio address, which was broadcast on the Voice of Maldives this morning, the President also spoke on the policies of the government on foreign workers.

He said the aim was not halting the hiring of foreign workers altogether. He said because there were certain responsibilities the government had to take by bringing in foreign workers, it was necessary to introduce a new fee.

He said the aim of the work permit fee – which is to be introduced on 1 September – was to encourage hiring Maldivians for jobs.

In his radio address, the President thanked Sun FM for its free
1 hour air-time for government notices and announcements.

He concluded the radio address by speaking on the month of Ramadan. He urged all Maldivians to utilize the days of Ramadan for beneficial ends.