Parliament rejects resolution alleging dismissals of govt critics
The proposal was rejected with 45 members voting against it. Six MDP members voted in favour of referring the resolution to committee.
The People's Majlis on Wednesday rejected a resolution expressing concern over allegations that public sector employees critical of the government are being targeted for dismissal.
The resolution was submitted earlier this month by Kendhoo constituency MP Mauroof Zakir on behalf of the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP).
Following debate on the resolution, Parliament voted on Wednesday on whether to refer it to a committee for further consideration.
The proposal was rejected with 45 members voting against it. Six MDP members voted in favour of referring the resolution to committee.
The resolution stated that, although the government had announced plans to reduce the size of the state workforce by 33 per cent, there had been a lack of transparency and fairness in the implementation of the process.
It alleged that employees expressing criticism of the government and President Mohamed Muizzu, or those participating in MDP political activities, were being dismissed from their jobs.
The resolution also claimed that some employees had been dismissed without reasonable grounds, contrary to the Employment Act, and that terminations had been carried out without clear guidelines or in accordance with the internal policies of state-owned enterprises.
It further argued that large-scale job losses during a period of economic difficulty would have a significant impact on many middle-income households.
The resolution noted that the Employment Act requires employers to have reasonable grounds for terminating an employee, including issues relating to conduct or performance.
It stated that Parliament should examine the matter as part of its constitutional responsibility to oversee the actions of the executive and hold the government to account.
