Ministry of Dhivehi language, Culture and Heritage defended its acting permanent secretary Athika, who is being investigated by the CSC after the ministry's employees filed a petition against her.
No complaints of bulling and harassment have officially been lodged against Acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Dhivehi language, Culture and Heritage, Athika Ibrahim, said Minister Adam Naseer.
Athika is currently under investigation by the Civil Service Commission (CSC) after a petition signed by 22 employees of the ministry was submitted to the commission, levelling harassment and bullying accusations against her.
During the press conference held on Monday at the President's Office, a member of the press clarified what the Ministry's position is regarding the matter.
Responding, Minister Adam Naseer said that the complaint had not been formally lodged.
"In short, the Ministry has not been officially informed of this. No complaints have been escalated to me," he said.
He further detailed that the employee in question is a very diligent, hardworking staff of the ministry.
"There are many people who work very hard and very responsibly in the ministry. Since a specific individual is in question, I have to say that she too is very hard working, and someone who finishes assigned works on time," he said.
Athika was also present at the President's Office press conference yesterday, where she shared the work done by the ministry in the past with the press.
The civil servants of the ministry said they were forced to file the petition because some of the CSC-appointed heads of the Ministry, especially, Athika, were bullying staff and acting without regard to the rights of the employees. The petition also said that the office has been disrupted to the point where it is difficult to perform the duties of the job, creating unrest, anger and dissatisfaction in the work environment.
Athika was appointed as acting permanent secretary of the Ministry on August 29.
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