Muizzu administration’s claims of empowering women crumble as two long-serving female staff at PO are sacked
The Muizzu administration faces growing backlash over the sudden and unjust dismissal of two long-serving female PO employees
The termination letter received by one of the long-serving female staff at the President's Office
Amid its towering promises of championing women’s rights, the incumbent administration has faced backlash as two long-serving female staff members at the President’s Office are abruptly dismissed, in turn shattering claims of “empowerment” and “protecting” women’s rights.
The case came to light after one of the two women who were abruptly sacked by the incumbent administration of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu spoke out about it on the social media platform Facebook.
According to one of the two employees who spoke to RaajjeMV on the condition of anonymity, they were instructed by the President’s Office to submit their resignations on the afternoon of Wednesday, November 27.
Unaware of the reasons behind their sudden and immediate terminations, the employees reportedly reached out to the relevant department for clarification. However, their efforts proved fruitless as they were told the decision was made to “reduce the staff count” at the President’s Office.
It is important to note that the two female staff members received no prior warning before their dismissal.
They are said to have refused to resign given the lack of explanation regarding the nature of their termination.
Two days later, on the night of Saturday, November 30, they received their termination notices at home.
Many believe their termination was politically motivated, particularly given that employees in more junior positions remained, while they were abruptly let go without explanation.
The two female staff members had served at the President’s Office for 17 and 18 years, respectively. RaajjeMV understands that they were also denied the three-month severance pay typically entitled to employees upon dismissal.
Given the nature of their terminations, several senior figures in the political sphere representing the main opposition, along with many others, have questioned how a leader could be so cruel as to dismiss them without warning, especially when they weren’t politically influenced in any of the previous administrations, but instead were patriotic staff members who dedicated nearly two decades of their lives in service to the nation.
Former First Lady Fazna Ahmed took to Facebook on Monday, expressing deep shock and sorrow in hearing about the news.
After learning of the abrupt dismissal of two long-serving female staff members from the President’s Office, the former first lady noted that they had been working diligently and faithfully for over 17 years, serving under every administration since Former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.
Stressing that while Article 115 of the Constitution of Maldives may grant the president the authority to hire and dismiss staff, the former first lady shed light on the significance of questioning whether such decisions align with the principles of fairness, transparency, and accountability that the island nation strives to uphold. Emphasizing that dismissing employees without providing a reasonable explanation undermines trust and sets a concerning precedent, especially for women in the workplace, former First Lady Fazna stressed that actions like these seem counterproductive to the ideals of empowerment and equality "we aim to celebrate and champion."
Under the former first lady’s post, former Minister of Gender, Family and Social Services Aishath Mohamed Didi expressed her grief in learning about the news. She pointed out that their dismissal in such a “pathetic” manner reflects poorly on the current policies.
The termination notices served to the two former Presidents' Office employees cite the power granted to the president under Article 115 (f) of the Constitution of Maldives as the reason for their dismissal. Article 115 (f) of the Constitution states that “in addition to the duties and powers otherwise expressly conferred on the president by the Constitution and the law, the president is entrusted pursuant to the Constitution with carrying out the specified duties and shall have the power to appoint, dismiss and accept the resignation of members of the Cabinet of Ministers, and such officials necessary for the proper functioning of the duties of his office.”
As the Muizzu administration faces growing backlash over the sudden and unjust dismissal of two long-serving female PO employees, the question unfolds: how can a government committed to empowering women justify such a cruel and politically driven decision?
With years of dedicated service, these women were left without explanation or support, undermining the very values of fairness and transparency the nation aspired to uphold. Their dismissal not only raises serious concerns about the motivation behind these actions but also casts a shadow over the incumbent’s claims of advocating women’s rights.
As the public continues to question the integrity of women in such decisions, it remains clear that true empowerment cannot coexist with cruelty and disregard for those who have devoted their lives to serving the nation.
