The Government has submitted an amendment to the Decentralisation Act to introduce a Ramadan allowance and formal salaries for Women’s Development Committee (WDC) members.

 If approved, WDC members who do not receive Ramadan benefits under any other law will be entitled to MVR 3,000 before the start of every Ramadan.

The amendment, submitted by PNC MP Ahmed Zameer, was introduced on Februay 10, 2025. It also proposes a structured salary for WDC members, addressing long-standing concerns over their financial security. 

Currently, WDC payments are determined by the Ministry of Finance but are not classified as salaries, affecting members' ability to access bank loans. The bill proposes that the Pay Commission, in consultation with the Local Government Authority (LGA), set official WDC salaries: MVR 7,000 for presidents, MVR 6,500 for vice presidents, and MVR 6,000 for members.

In addition, the amendment seeks to improve fund disbursement for WDCs. It mandates that local councils allocate at least 5 per cent of their Government grants to WDCs, with half of the funds released within 30 days of councils receiving their budget. The remaining amount will be provided in accordance with LGA regulations, ensuring efficient funding for WDC activities.

The proposal follows President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s December 14, 2024 announcement in Dhangethi, where he pledged that WDC members would receive a Ramadan allowance starting this year. He also confirmed that amendments to the Decentralisation Act and Employment Act would be submitted in February 2025 to legally formalise these benefits.