CSC Faces Parliamentary Committee Inquiry Over Exemption Granted to First Lady

The Civil Service Commission (CSC) will appear before the Independent Institutions Committee of the Parliament next week over the the commission’s exemption facilitating First Lady Sajida Mohamed to remain working under the Ministry of Health.

While Mohamed had been a long time civil service employee with the Ministry before President Mohamed Muizzu came into office, the issue of her being allowed to continue working at the ministry was brought to the attention of the Independent Institutions Committee by the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Member of Parliament (MP) for Dhaandhoo, Yaugoob Abdulla.

Abdulla identified that the CSC had never before made such an exemption, and that the decision has caused some concern to a number of civil servants, and the general public.

“The Civil Service Commission is creating a position for the First Lady, as she wants, as it fits her, and creating an environment [specifically for her] in a manner the Civil Service Commission has never acted on [before],” he said.

After discussions on the matter, the Independent Institutions Committee decided to have the CSC appear before them on Monday next week.

The First Lady is the Senior Scientific Officer at the Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA); a significant technical position for which she is deemed by the CSC to be uniquely qualified.

While the First Lady has offered to serve at the MFDA in addition to her responsibilities as the First Lady, the CSC has said there is no legal obstacle to working under the Ministry of Health. The Civil Service’s exemption does stipulate, however, that it will not be easy to take on two official responsibilities at the same time — she will be required, officially, to complete six hours daily, with limited break time. Additionally, as the First Lady, she is required, among other duties, to meet with representatives of foreign organisations as well as attend official visits, thus existing protocols and regulations will likely make it difficult for her to carry out such responsibilities fully.

The Civil Service Commission had decided that First Lady Mohamed could continue on, and provide consultancy for the next five years, without pay. Meanwhile she had asked to contribute 40 hours a month to the MFDA without drawing a salary. The CSC then decided to pay the First Lady for her work as they determined an agreement could not be entered into without pay.