Parliament votes to transition LGA employees to civil service

The Parliament on Wednesday passed a bill to transition employees of the Local Government Authority (LGA) to the civil service.

The amendment to the Decentralization Act, sponsored by North Fuvahmulah MP Hamad Abdulla, was passed with a majority vote of 59-10.

The primary objective of this amendment is to integrate staff of the Local Government Authority (LGA) into the Civil Service framework and to establish waste management as a mandatory essential public service to be delivered by local councils.

The Decentralization Committee, following its review of the bill, introduced several key amendments. It has been stipulated that the appointment and dismissal of LGA staff shall be carried out by the Civil Service Commission, based on the advice of the Authority. Furthermore, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is designated as the principal authority for staff-related matters, while salaries and allowances are to be determined by the National Pay Commission.

Additionally, the Committee revised the procedures governing the disbursement of funds to local councils. Under the amended provisions, any outstanding payments owed to the state—including taxes or utility charges for electricity, water, sewerage, and waste management services—that remain unpaid for a period exceeding six months shall be deducted prior to the release of remaining funds to the respective councils.

The LGA is the statutory body established under the Decentralization Act, mandated to coordinate the operations and functions of local councils.

While existing legislation grants the LGA Board the authority to appoint staff, the new amendment shifts the administrative structure to align it with Civil Service regulations.