Amendment Introduces Family Care Leave and Medical Termination Provisions

The Civil Service Commission has implemented the thirteenth amendment to the Civil Service Regulations, expanding leave entitlements for medical emergencies within families and introducing a new provision for employment termination. 

The changes, which took effect on Monday, represent a significant adjustment to the Maldives’ public sector employment framework.

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Under the revised regulations, civil servants are now entitled to up to 30 days of paid leave each year to care for family members undergoing treatment for chronic illnesses or requiring organ or bone marrow donation. The entitlement is granted with full basic salary, corresponding to the remuneration of the employee’s designated post.

The eligibility criteria define family members as parents, spouse, children, full siblings, half-siblings, and individuals for whom the civil servant has a legally recognised duty of care. Access to this leave requires submission of a medical certificate issued by a healthcare professional registered with the Ministry of Health, or by a practitioner affiliated with a recognised foreign medical institution. The certificate must detail the illness and expected duration of treatment. Approval of such requests will be determined by the Civil Service Commission.

The amendment further establishes provisions for dismissal of employees on medical grounds. Civil servants may be terminated if declared permanently or for a prolonged period unable to fulfil their duties. This determination must be supported by an official medical certificate issued by a Health Ministry-registered professional and authenticated with the institutional stamp of the issuing authority.