An extraordinary motion has been submitted to the parliament seeking to terminate the contract between the Ministry of Health and First Lady Sajidha Mohamed for her employment.
The First Lady is the Senior Scientific Officer of the Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA), which operates under the mandate of the Health Ministry. She took a four-year no-pay leave when she became the First Lady.
However, the ministry requested the Civil Service Commission (CSC) to facilitate First Lady Sajidha's consultancy on a contract basis, citing that her expertise was required for the MFDA operations.
Dhaandhoo MP Yauqoob Abdulla submitted the extraordinary motion in protest, citing that the contract between the ministry and the First Lady, made under special conditions, infringed the rights of thousands of regular civil service employees.
The MP sought for a cancellation of the contract in his motion.
All 21 members participating in the vote seeking the motion's acceptance to the parliament voted in favor of it, after which deliberation on the motion began. Four members voted against the motion during Wednesday's sitting on December 13.
The chair of Parliament's Committee on Independent Institutions and Meedhoo MP Rozaina Adam stated that the committee has received complaints about an unlawful contract made between the ministry and the First Lady.
She also argued that the no-pay leave, extended on family emergencies, cannot be granted to Sajidha Mohamed in her capacity as the First Lady, and spouse of the Maldives President.
The majority party's extraordinary motion was criticized by the MPs representing other parties in the parliament, who argued it was an attempt to launch personal attacks at the First Lady.
Ungoofaaru MP from The Democrats, Mohamed Waheed argued that the extraordinary motion served the purpose of directing harassment and personal attacks at Sajidha when the issue is already reviewed by the Committee on Independent Institutions.
"If the contract violates the Civil Service Act and regulations, then I believe the Independent Institutions' Committee can undertake reviews on the matter and summon CSC for questioning," Waheed said.
Fonadhoo MP from the People's National Congress (PNC), Moosa Siraj, claimed that MDP enjoyed the majority in the parliament, allowing them to probe any possibilities of coercion to the Civil Service Commission (CSC).
MP Siraj further argued that despite its capabilities, MDP's decision to submit an extraordinary motion to harass Sajidha was evident of their ill intention towards the First Lady.
North-Galolhu MP and former Deputy Speaker Eva Abdulla said the issue should be thoroughly considered by the Civil Service Commission.
"I don't see the need for an extraordinary motion on the matter and launch deliberation about it at the parliament" MP Eva commented.
The Civil Service Commission, on the other hand, has responded that the contract with Sajidha was not made under any special policy, but rather it was an offer extended to other professionals if required.
The contract stipulates Sajidha is owed an allowance of MVR 75 per hour for the hours she attends as a consultant. With a monthly total of 40 working hours, she is owed an allowance of MVR 3,000 according to the contract.
As the First Lady, she is subject to a remuneration equivalent to one-third of the President's salary.
Parliament has summoned the CSC for questioning on the case already.
After facing criticism for taking double-pay from the government, First Lady Sajidha earlier announced the allowances she received as a consultant would be donated towards charitable causes.
In her defense, the First Lady highlighted the lack of educated professionals in her field. She emphasized her commitment to extend assistance and promote the capacity development of others who had attained higher education in her field.
She also highlighted that there was no hindrance to concentrate her efforts on social causes even while attending to work at MFDA for three to four hours per day.
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