Govt submits bill to bring LGA staff under civil service
The proposed changes come ahead of the transfer of atoll administration responsibilities to the LGA following the dissolution of Atoll Councils.
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The government on Tuesday submitted a bill to parliament proposing amendments to the Decentralisation Act, including the transfer of administrative staff of the Local Government Authority (LGA) into the Civil Service.
The proposed changes come ahead of the transfer of atoll administration responsibilities to the LGA following the dissolution of Atoll Councils.
The bill was introduced during Tuesday’s sitting of the People's Majlis by Hamad Abdullah, a member of the ruling People's National Congress (PNC).
The amendment proposes two key changes:
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integration of LGA employees into the Civil Service framework; and
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inclusion of waste management within the responsibilities of local councils.
Under the current Decentralisation Act, the LGA Board has authority over the appointment and dismissal of staff and management of administrative affairs.
The amendment seeks to repeal the existing provision and transfer authority over appointments and dismissals to the Civil Service Commission (CSC), based on advice from the LGA’s Chief Executive Officer.
Under the proposed changes, the Chief Executive Officer would also assume the role of “Responsible Officer” under the Civil Service Act in matters relating to staffing and administration.
The bill further states that the CEO, in consultation with the board, would determine the organisational structure of the authority, including staff positions, classifications and responsibilities, subject to CSC approval.
The proposed legal changes are linked to the upcoming transfer of atoll administration to the LGA.
In the recent local council elections, members for Atoll Councils were not elected following constitutional and legislative amendments passed by parliament and ratified by President Mohamed Muizzu.
The current term of Atoll Councils is scheduled to end on the 17th of this month, after which the LGA will assume responsibility for atoll administration.
The bill also proposes changes relating to council services.
Under existing law, councils are required to provide electricity, water, and sanitation and sewerage services.
The amendment seeks to add waste management as a fourth mandatory service.
The law states that these services must be delivered in accordance with policies, standards and pricing frameworks established by relevant government ministries.
Where services are provided through third parties, councils would also be required to maintain written agreements governing service provision.
