Tag: csc

PPM proposes MVR3,000 Ramadan bonus for state employees

The ruling Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM) is considering paying a sum of MVR3,000 (US$194) as a bonus for all state employees for the Islamic month of Ramadan.

The Employment Act entitles all Muslim workers in the Maldives to a sum no less than one-third of their monthly salary for the month of fasting, with a minimum of MVR2,000 (US$129) and a maximum of MVR10,000 (US$645).

The government wants to equalise Ramadan bonuses for all state employees, but the plan requires an amendment to the employment law as well as an extra funding of MVR36 million (US$2.3million).

Speaking to the press on Saturday, PPM parliamentary group leader MP Ahmed Nihan said the current budget for Ramadan allowance stands at MVR92 million (US$5.9million)

“When we look at equalising the amount given as Ramadan allowance, we want to give at least, MVR100 per day for each employee, which amounts to a total of MVR3,000. To enforce this, we need an extra MVR36 million,” he said.

Statistics published by the Civil Service Commission (CSC) shows almost half of the country’s civil servants are paid less than MVR 4999 (US$ 324).

The parliament is on recess now and changes to the law can only be made when sittings resume in early June. The first day of Ramadan falls on June 18.

Nihan also said private businesses will be affected if the law is changed at the last minute. PPM MPs are “searching for a quick solution,” he said.

Finance minister Abdulla Jihad told Haveeru today that the government has the funds to pay the proposed amount.

The government last week obtained a grant of US$20million from Saudi Arabia to manage cash flow.

Of the 24,742 civil servants in the Maldives, 9,914 are paid up to MVR4,999, while the large majority (14,380) are paid between MVR5,000 and MVR9,999 (US$ 648).

Only 373 civil servants are paid between MVR10,000 and MVR14,999 while only 75 are paid above MVR 15,000 (972).

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New civil service act comes into effect

New civil service regulations come into effect today (December 1), replacing the 2010 Civil Regulations Act.

A Civil Service Commission press statement today read that the new regulations were formulated after consulting various stakeholders including the public, civil service staff, and different government authorities.

It also said that the new regulations are aimed at delivering a more efficient service to the public by making civil service employees more responsible, as well as ensuring the rights of the workers.

The CSC is also running programmes and workshops along with government officials to raise awareness amongst civil service staff of the the new regulations.

Recent statistics from the CSC showed that civil servants rose from 24,742 in May to 25,010 in September – representing over seven percent of the population.

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CSC statistics show 40 percent of civil servants paid less than MVR 5000

Statistics published by the Civil Service Commission (CSC) shows an estimated 40 percent of civil servants are paid less than MVR 4999 (US$ 324).

Of the 24,742 civil servants, 9,914 are paid up to MVR 4999, while the large majority (14,380) are paid between MVR 5000 and MVR 9999 (US$ 648).

Only 373 civil servants are paid between MVR 10,000 and MVR 14,999 while only 75 are paid above MVR 15,000 (972).

A majority of civil servants are employed in administrative work (7,495) and as teachers (7,036).

The Education Ministry and Health Ministry employ the largest number of employees at 9,860 and 7,405 respectively.

Statistics also show women outnumber women in the civil service. There are 11,655 women and 8,858 men.

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CSC orders public servants to resign before standing for Majlis

The Civil Service Commission (CSC) has ordered public servants to resign from their position before contesting parliamentary elections in March.

The CSC sent a circular to all ministries and local council secretariats on Tuesday stating civil servants will be dismissed as per Article 51 (b) of the Civil Service Act if they stand for the People’s Majlis without submitting a resignation.

A CSC statement said civil servants must be independent and standing for any public election would “contravene the civil service’s mandate.”

Candidates for the People’s Majlis are required to submit their applications to the Elections Commission by February 11. Polls have been scheduled for March 22.

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Parliament approves Mohamed Fayaz as high commissioner for Malaysia

The People’s Majlis today approved retired Deputy Commissioner of Police Mohamed Fayaz (FA) as the Maldives High Commissioner for Malaysia with 39 votes in favor, 8 against, and one abstention.

Following President Yameen’s nomination of Fayaz, his name was reviewed by the parliament’s National Security Committee.

The committee approved Fayaz without interviewing him, stating that he is “in terms of academic qualifications and experience, the best candidate to be appointed as the Maldives High Commissioner for Malaysia”.

Disgraced Civil Service Commission head Mohamed Fahmy Hassan was earlier appointed as the Deputy High Commissioner for Malaysia. In 2012 the parliament dismissed Fahmy as the president of the CSC for sexual harassment of a female staff member.

Mohamed Fayaz has also been criticised – particularly by the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party – for his involvement in the controversial power transfer of February 7, 2012.

Fayaz, along with Abdulla Riyaz who is currently running for People’s Majlis, and incumbent Minister of Defense Retired Colonel Mohamed Nazim were seen among the mutinying police officers gathered outside the military headquarters where President Mohamed Nasheed was at the time.

Fayaz negotiated between top generals and the mutinying police officers and was seen beside Nazim when he announced that the president should resign unconditionally.

According to the Commission of National Inquiry (CNI) which investigated the events that lead to the power transfer, Fayaz was with President Nasheed when he was taken from the military head quarters to the President’s Office for resignation.

“Nazim and Fayaz went into the President’s Office ahead of the car in which the President was travelling. Following behind the car were the President’s SPG, Chief of Defence Force and Military Operations Commander,” the CNI timeline of events stated.

Nasheed’s resignation letter was later taken from the official dispatch by Fayaz and Riyaz who then delivered it to the speaker of the people’s majlis.

Fayaz served in the National Security Service for fourteen years under President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom. He was a lieutenant at the time the NSS was split into the police and military branches.

In December 2008, President Mohamed Nasheed appointed him as the Deputy Commissioner of Police, but he was soon dismissed while on study leave. Within a month of his dismissal, Nasheed appointed him as the deputy minister of civil aviation and communication.

Following the power transfer of Febaruary 2012, President Mohamed Waheed appointed Fayaz as minister of state for home affairs.

In January 2013 Fayaz applied for registration of a political party named ‘Maldives National Industrial Alliance’, though the application was rejected last month by the Elections Commission for failing to reach the minimum number of members required for the registration of parties.

During the first round of presidential elections he entered the Jumhooree Coalition supporting businessman Gasim Ibrahim.

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Disgraced CSC chief appointed Deputy High Commissioner to Malaysia

President Abdulla Yameen has appointed disgraced Civil Service Commission head Mohamed Fahmy Hassan as the Maldives’ deputy high commissioner to Malaysia.

Fahmy was dismissed from his post by parliament last year, after he was found to have sexually harassed a female staff member at the Commission.

However Fahmy’s dismissal was blocked as “unconstitutional” in a sudden injunction issued by the Supreme Court, preventing President Mohamed Waheed from appointing Fahmy’s replacement, Fathimath Reeni Abdu Sattar.

The stand-off led to both CSC heads arriving for work, and the CSC eventually blocking Fahmy from accessing its offices in September 2013. Minivan News was told by a CSC source at the time that Fahmy’s fingerprint access was rescinded after the former commissioner continued to come to the office for a few minutes every day.

The head of the CSC sits on the Judicial Services Commission (JSC), the judicial watchdog body mired in controversy and accused of wanton politicisation and gross misconduct, and thus has influence over the judiciary.

Fahmy was alleged to have called a female staff member over to him, taken her hand and asked her to stand in front of him so that others in the office could not see, and caressed her stomach saying ”it won’t do for a beautiful single woman like you to get fat.”

According to local media, the woman told her family about the incident, who then called Fahmy. Fahmy then sent her a text message apologising for the incident, reportedly stating, ”I work very closely with everyone. But I have learned my lesson this time.”

In response to the allegations, Fahmy told Minivan News previously that the female staff member had made up the allegation after she learned she had not won a scholarship to Singapore offered by the CSC.

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CSC withholds former chair’s salary in compliance with Auditor General’s advice

The Civil Service Commission (CSC) has decided to withhold the salary of former chair, Mohamed Fahmy Hassan, who was dismissed by parliament over allegations that he sexually harassed a female staff member.

The Supreme Court reversed parliament’s decision and Fahmy continued to sign in for work every day.

CSC Media Officer Ali Nizar confirmed to Minivan News that the commission has now suspended Fahmy’s salary and allowances.

“He does not have access to the commission,” Nizar said.

He said that government authorities including President Dr Mohamed Waheed had not responded to the commission when it requested the executive resolve the issue.

According to Nizar, Dr Waheed failed to reply to a letter sent by the commission asking him to resolve Fahmy’s issue.

Auditor General Niyaz Ibrahim told local newspaper Haveeru that his office had given advice on the CSC’s request.

Niyaz told the paper he advised the commission withhold Fahmy’s salary and allowances until the matter was resolved, as it would not be easy to recover once it was paid. He said this was the normal procedure followed in the Maldives.

Minivan News contacted the newly appointed president of the CSC, Ibrahim Latheef, who referred Minivan News to the commission’s secretary general, Mohamed Faizal. Faizal was not responding at time of press.

On August 13, parliament appointed a new member to the CSC to replace Fahmy with 51 out of 54 MPs present voting in favour of appointing Fathimath Reenee Abdulsathar as Fahmy’s replacement, while the remaining three MPs abstained.

In November last year, parliament voted 38 – 32 in favour of removing Fahmy after the Independent Institutions Committee investigated a complaint of sexual harassment against the CSC chief by the employee.

However on 14 March 2013 the Supreme Court ruled that parliament’s decision to remove Fahmy from his position was not based on reasonable grounds and invalidated the decision.

On August 15, the Supreme Court issued an injunction to halt parliament’s appointment just as the President’s Office prepared to give credentials to Reenee.

However, the following day Chief Justice Ahmed Faiz Hussain accused his own court of issuing the injunction without his knowledge.

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CSC cancels Fahmy’s access to its offices

The Civil Service Commission (CSC) has blocked former chief Mohamed Fahmy Hassan from accessing its offices as the country’s executive, Supreme Court, and parliament remain at an impasse over Fahmy’s membership at the CSC.

However, a source within the commission – who wished to remain anonymous – told Minivan News that Fahmy was continuing to come to the office for a few minutes everyday.

CSC media officer Ali Nizar said the commission had decided to cancel Fahmy’s fingerprint access on September 11 until the dispute over Fahmy’s membership was resolved.

“Therefore he cannot be present at the commission in any official capacity,” Nizar said.

The parliament in November last year voted 38 – 32 in favour of removing the CSC chair after the Independent Institutions Committee investigated a complaint of sexual harassment against him lodged by a female CSC employee.

On 14 March 2013, the Supreme Court invalidated the parliament’s decision to remove Fahmy from his position, and President Dr Mohamed Waheed reinstated him to the CSC.

The parliament nevertheless proceeded to appoint a new member to the CSC to replace Fahmy on August 13, and appointed CSC member Dr Mohamed Latheef as the new chair of the commission on August 20.

On August 15, however, the Supreme Court issued an injunction to halt parliament’s appointment just as the President’s Office was preparing to give credentials to a new appointee – Fathimath Reenee Abdul Sattar.

The following day Chief Justice Ahmed Faiz Hussain accused his own court of issuing the injunction without his knowledge.

The President of Anti-Corruption Commissions (ACC) Hassan Luthfy told local media on August 19 that the commission would be investigating the Supreme Court for abuse of office due to the presence of Ali Hameed on the bench that issued the injunction.

Hameed had been involved in a case – regarding a leaked sex tape – that was being investigated in the Judicial Services Commission, of which Fahmy was a member by virtue of his place as CSC head.

Meanwhile, new CSC chair appointee Dr Mohamed Latheef has appealed to President Waheed to find a solution, but told Minivan News today he is yet to receive an answer from the president.

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Dr Mohamed Latheef appointed CSC Chair

Parliament has appointed Civil Service Commission (CSC) member and former chair Dr Mohamed Latheef as the new chair of the commission.

According to media reports, of the 75 MPs present, 60 voted in favour of appointing Latheef as chair of the commission. The remaining 15 MPs abstained from voting.

The parliament this morning discussed the two names proposed to the parliament by the majority and minority parties for the position of CSC Chair.

According to local newspapers, majority party, the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) proposed current member of the CSC Dr Mohamed Latheef –  the former chair of the commission – and the minority Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) proposed Ahmed Hassan Didi to be appointed as chair.

Today’s parliament session was chaired by Speaker of the Majlis Abdulla Shahid.

On August 13, the parliament appointed a new member to the Civil Service Commission to replace Mohamed Fahmy Hassan, who was dismissed in November 2012 over allegations that he sexually harassed a female member of staff.

51 out of 54 MPs present in the parliament voted in favor of appointing Fathimath Reenee Abdulsathar as Fahmy’s replacement, while the remaining three MPs abstained.

In November last year parliament voted 38 – 32 in favour of removing the CSC chair after the Independent Institutions Committee investigated the complaint of sexual harassment lodged by a female CSC employee.

On 14 March 2013 the Supreme Court ruled that parliament’s decision to remove Fahmy from his position was not based on reasonable grounds and invalidated the decision.

On August 15, the Supreme Court issued an injunction to halt parliament’s appointment just as the President’s Office prepared to give credentials to Reenee.

However, the following day Chief Justice Ahmed Faiz Hussain accused his own court of issuing the injunction without his knowledge. Former Judicial Services Commission (JSC) member Aishath Velazinee has argued that the Majlis was given authority over CSC appointments in 2010, describing the Supreme Court’s move as a “mutiny”.

The President of Anti-Corruption Commssion (ACC) Hassan Luthfy yesterday (19 August) told local media that the case had now been filed at the commission as its members found that it could be a case of Supreme Court Justices working for the benefit of an individual.

Hassan Luthfy noted that Supreme Court Justice Ali Hameed was on the bench that issued the injunction, and that Hameed had an ongoing case – regarding a leaked sex tape – in the JSC, of which the dismissed chair of CSC Fahmy is a member.

Correction: An earlier version of this article named Dr Ibrahim Luthfy as the new CSC chair. This had been corrected to Dr Mohamed Latheef.

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