The Ministry of Finance and Treasury has ordered a halt on creating new jobs and promotions of existing employees for all government offices.

A fiscal circular signed and issued to all government offices by the Minister of Finance Ibrahim Ameer highlighted that certain steps needed to be taken in order to keep expenses in line with the budget that had been decided for the year.

As such, the circular had noted to cut down expenses on overhead, operational costs, travel costs as well as training-related costs.

Steps that are being imposed to reduce overhead:

- No new jobs funded by the state to be created without prior approval of the ministry

- No changes are to be brought to salary frameworks unless researched by the pay commission and approved by the ministry

- No new allowances are to be paid out despite being budgeted, without prior approval from the ministry

- No promotions or any changes that may change salaries and allowances to be given without prior approval of the ministry

- Reducing overtime work and facilitating ways to finish work during official hours

In addition to this, the Ministry requested to seek approval before going on an international trip, refraining from offering scholarships apart from those that are awarded at a national level, and refraining from carrying out any training programs apart from fully paid short-term courses abroad.

The circular also stated to refrain from any capital expenditure other than that mentioned in the PSIP budget.