President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has ratified amendments that formally bring employees of the Local Government Authority (LGA) under the civil service.
The bill was passed on Thursday, May 14, 2026, during the 19th sitting of the first session of the 20th People’s Majlis. The President signed it into law and published it in the government gazette, with the new provisions now in effect.
The central change reclassifies LGA staff as civil servants. The Local Government Authority is the body responsible for coordinating the work and activities of local councils across the country, and the amendments are intended to strengthen its administration.
Under the revised law, the authority’s Chief Executive Officer will serve as the responsible senior officer for matters relating to the appointment, dismissal, and general management of staff. The CEO will act on the advice of the LGA board when carrying out these duties.
The amendments also set out a clear timeline for implementation. The authority must draw up a new staffing structure and submit it to the Civil Service Commission for approval within 30 days of the law taking effect. The Civil Service Commission is then required to approve the structure within 15 days, after which the National Pay Commission has 30 days to finalise the salary framework for LGA employees.
In addition to the staffing changes, the legislation expands the list of public services that local councils are required to provide under the law. Waste management has now been formally added to those mandatory services delivered by island and city councils.
