The government has proposed amendments to the Decentralisation Act that would see employees of the Local Government Authority (LGA) brought under the civil service, alongside changes aimed at strengthening local governance and expanding council responsibilities.
The bill was submitted to Parliament by Fuvahmulah North MP Hamad Abdulla, as part of broader efforts to reform the operational structure of the authority.
Shift to Civil Service Framework
Under the proposed changes, LGA employees would be formally designated as civil servants. The government says the move is intended to improve institutional efficiency and align the authority more closely with the wider public service system.
At present, the power to appoint and dismiss staff rests with the LGA board. However, the amendment seeks to transfer this authority to the Civil Service Commission (CSC), which would handle recruitment and termination based on recommendations from the LGA’s Chief Executive Officer.
The CEO would also assume greater administrative responsibility, becoming the senior official overseeing staffing matters within the authority.
Pay Structure and Oversight
The amendment outlines that salaries and allowances for LGA positions would fall under the national pay framework, with decisions to be determined by the National Pay Commission.
Officials say integrating the authority into the state pay structure is expected to ensure consistency, transparency and fairness across public sector institutions.
Expanded Role for Councils
In addition to structural reforms, the bill introduces changes to the scope of services provided by local councils. Notably, waste management would be formally recognised as a mandatory public service that councils must deliver in both islands and cities.
The inclusion is aimed at strengthening environmental management and ensuring more consistent service delivery across local jurisdictions.
Strengthening Local Governance
The LGA, established under the Decentralisation Act, is responsible for overseeing and supervising the work of local councils across the Maldives.
If passed, the proposed amendments would mark a significant shift in how the authority operates — centralising staffing processes while expanding the legal responsibilities of councils.
Officials say the reforms are part of ongoing efforts to enhance governance, improve service delivery and reinforce accountability within the decentralised system.
