MSM Challenges 1,600 Laid Offs in Local Government with Supreme Court

The Socialist Movement (MSM) has filed a judicial review request with the Supreme Court on Monday, May 2, to challenge the dismissal of about 1,600 local government employees. The party is also seeking a court order to suspend the laid offs. The case is scheduled for hearing on June 9.

Representing the MSM are lawyer Anil Gayan and attorney Shamila Sonah-Ori.

In a video statement, Me Anil Gayan and former Local Government Minister Anwar Husnoo explained the party’s position.

This dispute concerns the firing of over 1,700 employees. According to the Ministry of Local Government, the Local Government Service Commission (LGSC) hired 1,765 workers between January and October 2024.

Of these, 998 were hired between September 3 and October 3, just before the general elections.

Most of these new hires are sanitation workers, laborers, and general workers.

The ministry stated that 599 of them were recruited without a proper budget, leading to an estimated additional monthly expense of Rs 10 million for public finances.

The ministry described these actions as authoritarian and clientelistic.

The case has been referred to the Financial Crimes Commission for further investigation.

Source: Defi Media