Essential government appointments to continue despite current hiring constraints: Zameer
Finance Minister Moosa Zameer has stated that while the state's current cash flow challenges hinder large-scale recruitment, the government must still hire personnel for essential sectors critical to its operations. Addressing criticism from the opposition regarding the influx of new hires for various government projects and state-owned enterprises, the Minister emphasized the need for a cautious approach to recruitment under the current fiscal climate.
President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s Minister of Finance, Moosa Zameer. | President's Office | President's Office
Minister of Finance and Planning Moosa Zameer has stated that while the current period is not ideal for recruitment, the government must continue to fill essential positions necessary for its operations.
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, the Minister stated that the current period presents challenges for recruitment. The Minister further noted that President Muizzu has also highlighted that cash flow constraints would make it difficult to hire new employees at this time.
The Minister stated, however, that it remains necessary to recruit the personnel required for government operations and to proceed with ongoing projects.
It is necessary to recruit personnel for ongoing projects or essential government operations. However, we are currently implementing very strict restrictions. Even today, several companies reached out seeking to fill certain positions. I advised them to put those recruitments on hold for the time being, even for specific projects. The President has also noted that we may face challenges due to our current cash flow situation. Therefore, we must be extremely cautious regarding new hires. I have communicated this clearly to those who spoke with me today.President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu's Minister of Finance, Moosa Zameer.
The Minister's remarks come as Minister of Cities, Adam Shareef Umar, announced a decision to recruit a total of 516 employees across four mobile units to further develop the Public Works Unit.
Furthermore, the government has announced more than 140 vacancies at Road Development Corporation (RDC) sites ahead of the upcoming elections. With Fuel Supplies Maldives (FSM) and Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) also opening numerous positions, the administration has faced heavy public criticism. The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has been particularly vocal, expressing significant concern and condemning the move.
The party has also brought the matter to the attention of the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM), alleging that the government’s primary strategy for securing votes is the mass issuance of jobs through state-owned enterprises. The MDP stated that due to this ongoing recruitment, the number of employees across government utility companies has now surpassed 15,000.
