Staff are being dismissed under various pretexts to serve personal agendas of leaders: MP Ziyad

The Member of Parliament for Vaikaradhoo constituency, Hussain Ziyad, has asserted that the government is carrying out mass dismissals of employees under sophisticated pretexts solely to secure funds for the salaries of political appointees and to satisfy the personal agendas of state leaders.

Speaking at Tuesday’s parliamentary sitting, Ziyad noted that the administration has provided employment to numerous individuals across various islands. He emphasized that the local communities are well aware of who was recruited and the timing of these appointments.

Addressing the government's initiative to "rightsize" state-owned enterprises (SOEs), Ziyad expressed confidence that those losing their jobs would eventually find employment again. Referring to President Dr. Muizzu's Independence Day address, where the President stated that the national situation would improve by 2028, Ziyad suggested that those currently being terminated would likely be rehired in the future as part of efforts to secure a second term.

Ziyad further highlighted that the government had two years to implement necessary structural changes. He contended that the current wave of dismissals is a direct reaction to the government’s defeat in the local council elections and public opinion polls held earlier this year. He characterized these actions as an unjust victimization of ordinary workers and noted that the public is closely observing the representatives in Parliament who support or facilitate such treatment.

"They had two or three years to reform this system. However, failing to do so and then suddenly initiating mass layoffs following the election results is something I cannot support. This is an act of injustice against the citizens. The public will take note of the members of this Parliament who are complicit in this. It is evident to everyone that these employees are being terminated under fancy labels only to facilitate the payment of political salaries and to fulfill the personal interests of those in power—there is no other reason behind it"

Hussain Ziyad, the MP for Vaikaradhoo constituency

The Privatization and Corporatization Board (PCB) has recently decided to reduce the workforce of state companies by 33 percent. While the government maintains that this measure is necessary for cost-cutting, the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and many members of the public view it as having ulterior motives. Critics argue that if the primary goal were truly fiscal responsibility, the government should begin by reducing the number of political appointees.

The move to terminate ordinary employees instead of political staff has drawn widespread public criticism and condemnation. According to estimates by the MDP, the proposed 33 percent reduction could result in the termination of over 14,000 employees.