President Says State Employees’ Redundancies Based on PCB Standards, Denies Political Motivation

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has said that recent redundancies of state employees are linked to behavioural standards under the Privatisation and Corporatisation Board (PCB) guidelines and broader economic pressures, including the impact of the ongoing Middle East conflict.

Speaking to Raajje TV journalist Laisha Ahmed during a press conference held today at the President’s Office, President Muizzu was asked about reports of state institutions terminating employees, including claims that some affected workers had political affiliations with the opposition.

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In response, the President said that state employees are required to adhere to ethical and behavioural standards set by the Privatisation and Corporatisation Board (PCB), and that action is taken when those standards are breached.

He added that employees found to have violated these guidelines, taking an example of cases where misconduct or damage to state property occurred, would not be retained in state institutions.

When pressed on claims that multiple employees had been dismissed in some islands over alleged political affiliation, the President did not directly address the specific allegations but reiterated that terminations would only occur in cases of PCB guideline violations.

He also referred to earlier commitments made at the beginning of his term, stating that he had pledged not to engage in politically motivated dismissals and maintained that such terminations, if they happen, are not at his behest.

Separately, the President said that the ongoing Middle East conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran had placed strain on the Maldives’ financial situation, requiring the government to adopt measures to manage economic impact.

He suggested that in this context, some reductions in state employment may occur as part of broader fiscal adjustments, while maintaining that any terminations are not directed on political grounds.