Audit: MVR 1.4M paid in 2022 for wrongful civil service dismissals

The Civil Service Commission (CSC) paid over MVR 1.4 million in compensation in 2022 for unlawful dismissals and unpaid salaries and allowances, according to the Auditor General’s Office.

The audit report, released last Monday, states that the CSC spent MVR 1,421,458 to cover losses or potential losses to the state arising from employment-related disputes. The Employment Tribunal and courts ordered the payments in connection with the dismissal of 36 civil servants across 10 state institutions, citing violations of the Civil Service Act, relevant regulations, and the Employment Act.

The 10 institutions involved were:

• Male' City Council  
• V. Fulidhoo Council Office  
• K. Maafushi Education and Training Centre  
• Mulaku Atoll Council  
• Hafiz Ahmed School  
• Ministry of Youth  
• Family and Social Services Office, Shaviyani Atoll  
• N. Maafaru Council Office  
• Department of Public Examination  
• Imaduddin School  

Among the cases, three were filed against Male' City Council for non-payment of allowances. In one case, 15 individuals were awarded MVR 345,207. Another case filed by an administrative officer resulted in a payment of MVR 24,632. A third case, filed by 11 individuals, led to a payout of MVR 238,994.

The report notes that the Employment Tribunal ruled against the CSC in 10 cases. Although the commission appealed to the High Court, it lost all 10 appeals. In one additional case, the CSC withdrew its appeal after the tribunal ordered MVR 368,264 in compensation to the unlawfully dismissed principal of the K. Maafushi Education and Training Centre.

In another case involving an assistant director at the V. Fulidhoo Council Office, the tribunal ruled the dismissal unlawful. The state was ordered to pay MVR 250,239 in compensation. The CSC failed to appeal the ruling because it did not pay the High Court registration fee on time.

The Auditor General’s Office recommended the CSC take disciplinary action against employees responsible for such lapses. It also urged the commission to establish procedures for holding staff accountable when courts or tribunals rule that dismissals were unlawful.

According to the CSC’s 2022 financial statements, the commission had a budget of MVR 30.3 million and spent MVR 30.2 million that year.