Local CSOs Call for Parliamentary Probe into Workplace Safety Incidents in WAMCO

The Raajje Coalition for Good Governance (RCG), a group of local civil society organisations, has urged Parliament to conduct a full, fair, and timely investigation into these matters and to take all necessary measures to ensure the health and safety of workers at Waste Management Corporation Ltd (WAMCO), following a recent series of workplace incidents at their worksites.

In a statement issued today, the coalition — comprising the Association for Democracy in the Maldives (ADM), Save Maldives, the Mental Health Support Group (MHSG), Zero Waste Maldives, the Equal Rights Initiative (ERI), and Transparency Maldives (TM) — urged the relevant committees of the People’s Majlis to investigate the matter.

The coalition’s statement comes after two recent incidents at WAMCO, one of which resulted in the death of an employee, while another left a worker with life-threatening injuries. On 22 February 2026, a WAMCO employee fell into a waste container and is currently receiving mechanical ventilation support.

Earlier, on 28 January 2026, the Maldives Police Service reported that the body of 24-year-old Bangladeshi national Ameen Mia, employed at WAMCO, was found beneath a pile of waste at the Thilafushi landfill. Mia had been reported missing on 26 January. CCTV footage reviewed by police showed an excavator bucket striking Mia on the head. Authorities have alleged homicide against the excavator operator, also a migrant worker, for continuing to operate the machine after the incident. The Criminal Court has extended the operator’s detention to 45 days.

The coalition stated that, due to the delay in locating Mia’s body, it remains unclear whether his death occurred immediately upon impact, and the cause of death has not been conclusively determined. It argued that pursuing the matter solely as a criminal case is insufficient to ensure accountability and may hinder broader corrective action under workplace safety laws.

The statement referred to the Occupational Safety and Health Act, ratified in January 2024 and in force since July 2024, which requires employers to establish health and safety policies and emergency response procedures. The coalition questioned whether WAMCO has implemented the required policies, whether they are accessible in languages understood by employees, and whether workers and supervisors have received adequate training.

It also raised questions about whether internal investigations have examined potential managerial or supervisory negligence, whether the Labour Relations Authority and the Malé City Council have acted in accordance with their legal obligations, and whether affected workers and their families have been informed of their rights to claim compensation.

The coalition further stated that civil society groups and environmental advocates have long raised concerns about health and safety conditions, environmental damage, and labour practices at the Thilafushi landfill. It noted reports that colleagues informed WAMCO’s site manager on 26 January that Mia was missing, but a missing person report was not filed for two days. WAMCO has reportedly declined to comment, citing a police gag order.

The coalition commended the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM) for initiating an investigation into workplace safety measures at WAMCO and reiterated its call for Parliament to conduct a comprehensive inquiry and take steps to strengthen protections for workers nationwide.