The Employment Tribunal has ordered Road Development Corporation (RDC) to pay compensation equivalent to one month’s basic salary to an employee who was dismissed without following proper procedural principles for allegedly participating in a protest organized by the MDP.

The case was submitted to the Tribunal by a Senior Building Maintenance Officer who was dismissed on October 9 last year for allegedly participating in a protest organized by the opposition MDP in Malé City. RDC dismissed him under the company’s HR policy on the accusation of participating in anti-government activities. The employee stated that he was dismissed unlawfully because he was not given an opportunity to respond to the accusations made against him. He requested to be reinstated to his position and to recover his lost wages.

RDC stated that he participated in an unlawful gathering that disrupted public peace, and that justice had been served both substantively and procedurally. However, the Tribunal noted that although the gathering being unlawful provided sufficient grounds under RDC’s policy to dismiss the employee without notice, procedural justice was not established because he was not given an opportunity to respond to the accusations before dismissal.

Therefore, under the Employment Act, the Tribunal ordered RDC to pay 7,750 rufiyaa as compensation, equivalent to one month’s basic salary. This ruling was issued last week by newly appointed Tribunal member Amjad Musthafa. The ruling obligates RDC to pay the amount in a single installment within 15 government working days, and to notify the Tribunal in writing within 3 government working days after payment.

The Prosecutor General’s Office has separately filed charges against 8 people who participated in the MDP protest held on October 3 last year.