LGA: Job advertisements by councils increase as elections approach

The Local Government Authority (LGA) stated today that job advertisements by various councils have increased as the Local Council Elections draw near.

Mohamed Nimal, CEO of the LGA, told Mihaaru that it has been observed that an increasing number of councils are currently announcing vacancies for positions such as mosque cleaners and island maintenance workers.

"When they say employees are needed to clean mosques, we give it high priority. However, we receive many complaints from those islands that actions are being taken contrary to the purpose of that permission. There are many complaints that employees are being hired during this period for undue purposes," Nimal said.

He further explained that under the amendments brought to the Decentralization Act last year, councils must obtain permission from the LGA and the Ministry of Finance before hiring employees within one year or a shorter period before the end of their term.

Despite this, he noted that some councils are continuing to announce job vacancies without seeking the required permission.

"The purpose of the amendment brought to the law is not necessarily to stop the councils. The goal is to conduct affairs within a set policy," the LGA CEO added.

Nimal stated that although hiring by councils has increased unusually during this period, the LGA instructs all councils to act in accordance with Civil Service regulations. This includes obtaining written permission from the Civil Service Commission for recruitment, as well as approval from the Ministry of Finance.

According to the policy established by the LGA under the Decentralization Act amendment, within one year or a shorter period before a council's term expires, the leasing or granting of land, lagoons, or reefs under the council’s jurisdiction, as well as the implementation of projects not included in the council's established development plans, can only be carried out with the permission of the LGA and the relevant Ministry.

The government introduced this amendment to the Decentralization Act to prevent the use of job advertisements as a means of influencing elections as they approach.