HRCM Launches Probe Into Workplace Safety at WAMCO Following Recurrent Injuries

The Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM) has initiated an urgent investigation into the occupational safety and health protocols at the Waste Management Corporation (WAMCO) following a series of serious workplace incidents.

The commission announced the investigation on today, citing recurring injuries at WAMCO-operated sites. Authorities said the probe will examine the safety measures in place to prevent workplace hazards and assess compliance with occupational safety standards.

ވެމްކޯގެ މަސައްކަތު މާހައުލުގެ ރައްކާތެރިކަމާގުޅޭ ތަފާތު މައްސަލަތައް ތަކުރާރުކޮށް ދިމާވަމުންދާތީ، ވެމްކޯގެ މުވައްޒަފުންގެ މަސައްކަތު މާޙައުލުގެ ސަލާމަތާއި ރައްކާތެރިކަމާ ގުޅޭގޮތުން، އަވަސް ތަހުގީގެއް ހިންގަން މިރޭ ބޭއްވި ހިޔުމަން ރައިޓްސް ކޮމިޝަނުގެ ބައްދަލުވުމަކުން ނިންމައިފި.…— HRC of the Maldives (@hrcmv) February 24, 2026

The move comes after a worker was critically injured in an incident at a WAMCO-operated site in Malé on Sunday evening. Police said the man sustained serious injuries inside the premises and is currently receiving treatment at Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) while on a ventilator. An investigation has also been launched by authorities into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The latest case follows another major incident reported at a WAMCO site in Thilafushi in January. A 24-year-old foreign worker, identified as Ameen Mia, was found dead two days after he went missing from the site.

Police later stated that the worker died after falling from an excavator while clearing waste on the afternoon of 26 January. His body was reportedly moved along with debris during the operation.

CCTV footage allegedly showed the excavator striking the worker, after which work continued. Authorities arrested the excavator operator, a 32-year-old Sri Lankan national identified as Madranga Dissanayaka Menika. Police informed the court that the operator had been working illegally at the time of the incident.