Following a WAMCO employee's death and critical injury of another, HRCM launches investigation into safety standards at WAMCO
HRCM has launched an emergency investigation into the safety protocols of the Waste Management Corporation (WAMCO) following a series of recurring workplace accidents. This decision comes in the wake of a recent fatality and another incident involving serious injuries to a staff member, alongside numerous complaints alleging negligence toward employees' fundamental rights.
The Managing Director of WAMCO is Mujthaba Jaleel. The company has reportedly concealed information regarding hazardous workplace accidents involving its employees. | WAMCO | Wamco
The Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM) has launched an investigation into safety standards at the Waste Management Corporation (WAMCO) following a tragic incident that left one employee dead and another fighting for their life.
The Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM) launched an investigation following reports that driver Hassan Nazir sustained critical injuries after falling from a waste disposal ramp, requiring him to be placed on a ventilator. This follows a previous incident in January where a 24-year-old Bangladeshi national, Amin Mia, died due to negligence while working at the Waste Management Corporation (WAMCO). WAMCO has reportedly been concealing these incidents from the public.
However, the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM) has remained silent regarding the case of Amin, who was heartlessly left to die.
Following media reports regarding driver Hassan Nazir, the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM) issued an urgent statement on social media platform X late Tuesday night. In the post, the Commission announced that a meeting held on Tuesday night resulted in a decision to launch an immediate investigation into the safety and security of the work environment at the Waste Management Corporation (WAMCO). The HRCM noted that this action follows recurring issues concerning the safety of WAMCO employees in their workplace.
Police have confirmed that the death of Amin Mia, who was left to die at the WAMCO site in Thilafushi late last January, occurred on January 26. The individual suspected of involvement in the death is a Sri Lankan national employed as an excavator operator in Thilafushi. Amin Mia died after being struck by the bucket of the excavator operated by the Sri Lankan national. CCTV footage from the area shows the moment the bucket hit Amin Mia on the 26th of last month. Despite his disappearance following the incident, WAMCO reportedly made no effort to locate him.
Furthermore, Hassan Nazir sustained severe injuries after falling into a container from the waste disposal ramp used by WAMCO vehicles around 3:00 AM on Sunday night. Nazir is currently being treated on a ventilator at IGMH, having suffered fractures in three places on his ribcage, which has left him unable to breathe independently. Due to WAMCO's perceived negligence and failure to address the incident, the family has now officially reported the matter to the police.
WAMCO has yet to issue an official statement regarding the matter.
The Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM) has confirmed it is conducting an investigation into the working environment at the Waste Management Corporation (WAMCO). This comes amid mounting allegations of negligence toward employees since President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s administration took office. Complaints have recently surfaced regarding the withholding of wages for expatriate workers and persistent delays in paying Maldivian staff. Furthermore, issues arose when the company failed to provide the mandatory Ramadan allowance by the start of the holy month; the payments were only processed after the matter gained media coverage.
