The Government’s plan to undertake a comprehensive review to streamline the Civil Service and control the public sector wage bill has raised concerns, according to Independent MP Faiyaz Koya.
Koya stated that this announcement could lead to increased migration, as young and educated staff may find the situation too unstable and decide to leave. He pointed out that the Government has yet to address several critical issues, including an expected slowdown in the tourism market, a worsening labor shortage, high immigration, an improved business climate, and climate change.
Furthermore, Koya criticized the Government for failing to incentivize the MSME sector, which he considers the engine for economic growth. “The highest growth this country has ever had came within the last 16 years, but the Government has miscalculated and stifled the MSME sector for the past 18 months,” he said. He urged people to speak with local shopkeepers to understand the challenges they face and expressed skepticism about the country’s readiness for upcoming economic headwinds.
Koya also condemned what he termed the greatest water “hoodwink,” where Parliament previously allowed water bottling companies tax-free incentives, only to impose a significant tax increase later. “Our local water companies are now facing a five-cent tax instead of a one-cent tax, a 500 percent increase. The Government gave with one hand and took back with the other,” he remarked.
Due to these issues, Koya did not support the budget.