CSC looks into reports of bullying from a Permanent Secretary

Civil Service Commission (CSC) is looking into complaints received alleging that Athika Ibrahim, Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Dhivehi Language, Culture and Heritage has been harassing and bullying members of staff.

A petition regarding this issue was submitted to the CSC yesterday with signatures of 22 members of staff of the ministry.

The commission confirmed to Mihaaru News today that they have received the petition, adding that they are looking into the matter.

The petition states that the actions of some senior officials of the ministry, especially that of Athika, have led to an unhealthy work environment with staff harbouring feelings of discontent, anger and dissatisfaction.

Athika was appointed as Acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Dhivehi Language, Culture and Heritage on August 29.

She has previously served as Director of Supreme Court's Protocol Division. She was suspended from that position after complaints were raised by staff that she was the intermediary in allowing some judges to exert undue influence over issues in the court.

The petition submitted to CSC covered eleven main points:

- Forcing administrative staff to prepare refreshments for meetings, claiming that support staff are 'beneath' being fit to prepare refreshments for certain people

- Discriminating amongst staff of the same level in assigning work

- Forcing staff to work on weekends and official holidays without prior notice, and without valid justification, in ways that inconvenience staff

- Personal attacks against individual members of staff

- Involving outsiders who are not members of staff in official work and bringing them into the office during official hours to do so

- Assigning work in manners that contradict reporting hierarchy

- Gossiping and criticizing the appearance and features of members of staff while sitting with political appointees in the Corporate Department

- Assigning work that can be done by office staff to outsiders

- Taking away work responsibilities from staff against set policies and guidelines citing instructions from a specific person

- Ordering actions against regulations, and refusing to cooperate in compiling reports of such incidents

- Intimidating staff by stating that the PS's actions are endorsed and instructed by the Minister himself

The petition states that the matter has been brought to the attention of the CSC as the actions of the PS may lead to harming the reputation of the State, the government, CSC itself and the President.

A copy of the petition has also been submitted to the President's Office, People's Majlis and the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives.