Parliament’s Deputy Speaker Ahmed Nazim expressed concern over poor work ethics in the Maldives on Tuesday, remarking that most people nowadays want jobs, but don’t want to do any actual work.
Nazim, the representative for Dhiggaru constituency, made the remark during the debate on the MVR 64.2 billion proposed state budget for the upcoming year.
Nazim said that if the Maldivian people want their country to develop to the likes of Singapore, Dubai or Abu Dhabi, then they need to adopt a good work ethic.
He said that the responsibility of developing a country lies not just with the government, but with all its people.
“The people must make the effort and become hard working. Nowadays, many of the people want jobs where they don’t have to do any actual work. They even openly admit this,” he said.
“Therefore, we need people in our society who dare to work hard, who get up from sleep when its morning and dare to go to work.”
Nazim stressed that it is crucial for national development that everyone performs their civic duty.
He also stressed the need for skilled individuals to get employed in the civil service and enhance the quality of public services.
We need smart and open minds to implement the policies of ministries and various other state institutions, he said.
Nazim believes the civil service pay bump implemented in November will encourage more capable youths to join the service.
This is not the first time that Nazim has voiced concern over poor work ethics among civil servants.
During a Budget Committee meeting held with the Civil Service Commission on Saturday, Nazim said that a lot of civil servants are often seen at cafes smoking and having coffee during work hours. He quested CSC officials regarding whether their conduct is monitored.
CSC president Mohamed Mujthaz agreed that it was becoming a real problem. He said that the rising “coffee culture” among civil servants is something new, and signals a shift in work ethics.
He said that this isn’t just happening at government offices, but also state-owned enterprises.