Ziyad: Approximately 600 employees of abolished atoll councils remain in limbo

Vaikaradhoo MP Hussain Ziyad has stated that approximately 600 employees of atoll councils remain in a state of uncertainty following the government's legislative amendments to dissolve the administrative bodies.

During Tuesday's People's Majlis sitting, members debated a government-proposed amendment to the Decentralization Act aimed at bringing Local Government Authority (LGA) employees under the jurisdiction of the Civil Service.

Debating the bill, Ziyad stated that bringing Local Government Authority (LGA) employees under the Civil Service umbrella would be a regressive step.

We are essentially regressing to the former system of atoll administration. Currently, approximately 600 employees within atoll councils remain in a state of limbo. Furthermore, there is an active petition signed by around 100 employees of the Local Government Authority (LGA) regarding their transfer to the Civil Service. This petition was initiated because there has been no opportunity to consult with the President on the matter.

Hussain Ziyad, Member of Parliament for the Vaikaradhoo constituency.

Ziyad stated that had the employees' concerns been heard and discussions conducted in the manner they requested, a resolution to the issues would have been achieved.

Ziyad stated that the proposed amendments to the Decentralization Act would shift the oversight of civil servants to other civil service employees. He noted that the Local Government Authority (LGA) currently functions as an independent, distinct body responsible for monitoring councils. Ziyad further explained that under the proposed changes, the primary responsibility of LGA staff would essentially become the supervision and management of fellow civil service employees.

Ziyad stated that this remains the primary concern for current Local Government Authority (LGA) employees, which prompted the submission of their petition. The member further noted that the government proposed these amendments without any consideration for the employees' concerns.

This bill effectively reverts to the previous constitutional framework, where the government maintained control over atolls by appointing atoll chiefs and operating atoll offices. As it stands, this arrangement completely excludes the consultation and input of the residents of those atolls. If it is being claimed that the public accepts a system where atolls are managed by government-appointed chiefs and civil service staff, then it would be prudent to put this question to the people once more.

Hussain Ziyad, Member of Parliament for the Vaikaradhoo constituency.

During Tuesday's People's Majlis sitting, the bill was accepted and forwarded to the Decentralization Committee for further review. The bill passed with a majority of 44 members voting in favor, while 5 members voted against its acceptance.

According to Section 61(l) of the Decentralization Act, the Board of the Local Government Authority (LGA) is vested with the power to appoint and dismiss staff, oversee administrative affairs, and facilitate the execution of the authority's legal mandates.

The amendment proposed by the government seeks to repeal that specific provision. The amendment aims to strip the Local Government Authority (LGA) Board of its current powers and reclassify all LGA staff as civil service employees.