New CSC regulation lets council employees work remotely from within the atoll

The Civil Service Commission (CSC) has formulated a regulation that allows island council employees to work from other islands in the atoll if the council does not have the necessary staff.

CSC said the regulation issued last week outlines the procedure to be followed when arranging jobs for employees to work from other islands in the atoll if no employees are available in the island where the agency is located.

The regulation states that the position opened for recruitment must be included in the “administrative structure approved by the island council agency wishing to recruit the employee,” and the employer must have the necessary funds for the expenses. The opportunity to recruit employees under the regulation will be opened to all islands in the atoll.

CSC said an employee recruited under the regulation must appear at the office of the island council where he resides and be given the opportunity to perform the job. The regulation also states that the cost of the employee’s working facilities, salaries and allowances will be covered by the council office where the employee is employed.

CSC said the salaries and allowances of employees recruited under the regulation will be paid in accordance with the standards of the State Pay Framework. In addition, appointment, dismissal, promotion and all other matters relating to employment shall be conducted in accordance with the Civil Service Act, the Maldivian Civil Service regulations and the regulations and standards formulated by CSC for such matters.

Due to the distribution of the population in Maldives, the number of people living in some islands is very small, so migration to other islands in the atoll or to the Malé area is very common. The main reasons for such migration include search for employment and educational opportunities.

CSC has issued the regulation at a time when the Local Government Authority (LGA) has recently asked all councils not to hire any employees without written permission.