The farce of "subsistence" in the legitimate government

 The humanitarian situation in Yemen is deteriorating horribly, with millions suffering from severe food shortages and unable to secure even one meal a day. In addition to their lack of the most basic necessities of life such as health, education and shelter.

This comes at a time when officials in the legitimate government are living a luxurious and comfortable life abroad, far from the suffering of the people..! They enjoy the luxury of life in different countries of the world, indifferent to the suffering of their countrymen, in a scene that reflects the absence of human conscience and moral responsibility.

They are given a monthly stipend called “ration.” This word embodies the height of disregard for the suffering of an entire people. It is given in dollars to thousands of unemployed officials loitering around the world. It is a blatant waste of national resources and an irresponsible act that contradicts the most basic principles of justice and integrity. The continuation of this practice is a crime against the Yemeni people who are suffering under the burden of war and poverty.

There is no country in the world that pays its salaries in dollars under the name of "subsistence". This represents the height of corruption and a blatant violation of the constitution, laws and regulations. Moreover, spending these huge sums on people who do not provide any real benefit to the country reflects rampant corruption that requires an immediate end. All of these officials have no work outputs, and the smart ones among them are tweeters on Twitter, activists on Facebook, or analysts on some channels, and they are innocent of analysis.

We have been in a fierce war with the Houthi group for more than nine years, a period that requires the state to rationalize its expenditures, and the presence of all its political, military and civilian cadres in the homeland, each in his position, in order to participate in the war and victory and work to establish the new republic that is almost lost due to our foolishness.

Instead, these officials are living abroad and receiving monthly salaries estimated at between $3,000 and $20,000, for a number of more than 2,000 officials, while the general state budget bears approximately $12 million a month, and $144 million a year. After the halt in oil exports due to Houthi attacks, according to a source in the central bank, it fell to $5 million - or an estimated $60 million a year.

This spending has many negative effects on the national economy, including: the deterioration of the Yemeni riyal exchange rate, high inflation rates, and an increase in the budget deficit, in addition to negative social effects such as widening the gap between classes and increasing social injustice.

National and moral duty requires us to confront this shameful phenomenon that drains the state’s resources and weakens its ability to achieve development and prosperity. Canceling this subsidy is a necessary step to restore the people’s confidence in state institutions, achieve social justice, and direct resources towards projects that contribute to the nation’s advancement and the progress of its citizens.

In order not to be said that we envy these officials, we can suggest a simple proposal, which I believe will be rejected by them. The proposal is to pay them these amounts as they are in dollars, with two basic conditions: First, that they return to Yemen and work in their ministries and institutions, where the amounts are paid to them in Yemeni riyals according to the daily exchange rate. Second, that their performance and productivity be evaluated monthly, with a portion of the salary being deducted for anyone proven to be negligent. Although this proposal is easy for any individual from the struggling people present in the field, it seems difficult for these people who are dependent on society.

Although this proposal does not achieve optimal social justice and fair distribution of income and wealth, it is acceptable given the current situation and the economic benefits that will accrue to Yemen if it is implemented. The most important of these benefits is: providing hard currency, because the amounts will be spent in Yemeni riyals, even if their numbers are astronomical. In addition, the expenses of these people in Yemen will be considered income for the various sectors of the state, which means activating the economic cycle and its many benefits. This step will contribute to improving the purchasing power of the Yemeni citizen and enhancing the stability of the national economy.

In addition, the financial resources that were wasted on paying this undeserved subsidy could be used to improve the country’s infrastructure, develop the education system, improve health services, and combat unemployment by creating new job opportunities for Yemeni youth. This money could also be invested in sustainable development projects that boost the local economy and provide a decent life for citizens.

The optimal solution requires concerted efforts from all to combat corruption and enhance transparency and accountability in the management of public resources. Civil society organizations and the media have a major role to play in monitoring and holding officials accountable, as well as the role of the Yemeni people in exercising their right to oversight and accountability through legal and democratic channels.

Finally, we must always remember that any country cannot rise and advance except through the solidarity of all its people, and by achieving justice and equality among all segments of society. This critical stage that Yemen is going through requires everyone to stand together to face the challenges and invest in opportunities in order to build a better future for future generations.

We must realize that the future of Yemen depends largely on today’s decisions. Tackling corruption and putting an end to undeserved subsistence is not only the responsibility of the government, but also the responsibility of every citizen. We must all work for our country, and be part of the solution, not part of the problem. Hard work and dedication in serving the country are the only way to achieve development and prosperity.

This way we can ensure that the money that was wasted will be returned to the state treasury, to be used in vital projects that serve the Yemeni people and provide them with the decent life they deserve. We must be united in confronting corruption and building a homeland that accommodates everyone and achieves the aspirations of all its people.

We must always remember that change begins with one step, and this step can be the beginning of larger and more comprehensive reforms that will improve the lives of all Yemenis. We must be prepared to stand up to corruption in all its forms, and always strive to achieve justice and equality, because Yemen deserves better, and its people deserve a dignified life and a bright future.