President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has said the government is working to introduce arrangements that would allow people taking housing loans to complete construction projects they have already started.
The President made the remarks during the Rayyithunge Adu programme, while responding to questions raised about housing loans offered at interest rates not exceeding 5 percent as part of efforts to address housing challenges.
One member of the public who spoke with the President requested arrangements that would allow people to obtain loans to complete houses that are currently under construction, after the equity requirement for construction loans was reduced to 5 percent.
President Muizzu said the government was considering providing additional opportunities linked to housing loans, including arrangements that would enable people to complete ongoing construction projects. He said the Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development is currently working on developing the necessary mechanisms, and the work is expected to be completed by November.
"The Housing Ministry is currently working on this. We are opening up additional opportunities and creating new opportunities," President Dr Mohamed Muizzu said.
Another participant in the programme also raised concerns about housing. He said he is caring for a 13-year-old child who requires special assistance. He also said that although he received a high number of points when applying for a flat, he was not allocated one.
He further said that although his name initially appeared on the list of people allocated a Hiyaa flat, it was later removed from the list. He explained his difficult living circumstances to the President, who said efforts would be made to address the concerns raised.
Members of the public who met with the President also raised concerns in other areas.
One senior citizen raised concerns about the government's policy of reducing the number of employees. He said he had been working since the age of 16 and had spent more than 40 years in government service, mainly in the cold-storage sector.
He said he had served as a supervisor and deputy manager at the cold-storage facility in Kooddoo, Gaafu Alifu Atoll before later working in Kandu Oiy Giri.
The man said he retired from government service last year but had requested to remain employed for another two years. He said he had been retained on a contract basis at the time, but expressed concern after the government decided to discontinue contract employees.
After hearing his concerns, President Muizzu said he would work to find a solution. He also said the contributions of people who have served an organisation for many years should be valued, describing the termination of his employment as a particularly unfortunate situation.
Another member of the public told the President that a person who had served the government for more than 46 years was not receiving his monthly payments after retirement.
The retired Audit Office employee was not receiving his basic pension on a monthly basis and had only received the lump-sum payment due upon retirement. The President said the matter would be looked into.
Another participant raised concerns about the treatment of IT-sector employees following the transition to the new pay framework.
He said computer technicians play an important role in the government, but their salaries are lower than those of administrative officers. He also noted that although computer technicians are placed at Grade 5 of the public service ranking, their salaries are lower than those of employees at Grade 4.
The public sector employee, who works in the judicial sector, said that under the current structure, employees receive lower salaries despite being assigned a higher rank.
President Muizzu said the issue would also be addressed.