Tribunal rules in favor of ex Island Aviation DMD

The Employment Tribunal has ruled in favor of former Deputy Managing Director of Island Aviation Services (IAS) Aishath Jennifer, who filed a wrongful termination lawsuit.

Jennifer was appointed to the role during the previous administration, on December 25, 2018, but was terminated on January 03 this year following the change to the company’s board on December 28, 2023.

In her lawsuit, Jennifer sought legal remedy for multiple misconduct she alleged on her former employer. As such, she ought the court to;

Declare her termination by IAS was unlawful both substantively and procedurally

Declare her termination was a statutory offence

Annul the declaration of her termination by IAS board, and the notices of her termination

Reinstate her back to her former role within seven days from the date of tribunal’s verdict and order IAS to treat as if she had not been terminated

Award her monetary compensation for the period from the date of her termination until the date of the tribunal’s verdict, by way of treating it as the salary should was owed had she stayed employed during this period, an additional sum worth three months of her remuneration in damages and the charges she incurred in hiring a legal representative in the trial proceedings

A lumpsum settlement of the total damages sought within seven days from the date of the verdict

Jennifer filed the case with the tribunal earlier on March 27^th.

The tribunal in its judgement report, highlights Jennifer was given the option for a retirement, but was terminated after she refused the company board’s decision.

IAS earlier highlighted that the Deputy Managing Director position was previously not among the company’s organizational hierarchy, and was added for the specific purpose of selecting Jennifer.

The tribunal ruled in favor of the former DMD, and demanded the employer reinstate Jennifer to her position and award her with the total remuneration she is entitled to from the date of her wrongful termination up to the tribunal’s verdict. Besides this the tribunal also awarded the following:

A sum of MVR 56,171 in damages for unlawfully terminating the former DMD without a valid reason

A written compliance to the tribunal’s verdict within three days

Jennifer was entitled to a basic remuneration of MVR 34,304 per month in her position as the DMD. She also received another MVR 21,867 in allowances.