The Local Government Authority (LGA) has started informing councils that they can only employ staff after getting written permission.

As per the letter that has been signed by LGA Chief Executive Officer Mohamed Nimal and is being sent to councils, as part of the authorities steps under expenditure reduction policies, employing staff on the state's budget and the council's revenue can now only be done after obtaining a written document permitting the employment of said staff.

The letter goes on to state that newly created positions, permanent positions that are vacated, "contract employment" positions for specific projects or short-term work, and "wage employment" positions can only be filled by obtaining a written document from the authority.

LGA said that job announcements for temporary purposes, managing projects under contracts, wage, consultancy or any other posting with a wage will need permission from the LGA.

The letter reads that no staff can be hired by councils otherwise starting from 1st September 2026.