A number of cases against Chang Hua Construction, which is developing the Coral Boulevard project in capital city Malé, has been filed at the employment tribunal.

These cases include violations of Islamic norms and employment laws and were filed primarily by Maldivian employees at the company. RaajjeMV understands that all Maldivian staff at the company have now been let go. 

One of the employees, who spoke under the condition of anonymity, said that the company’s Chinese managers exercise gross discrimination against Maldivian staff.

The employee said that Ramadan allowances for last year went unpaid until staff lodged a case at the Labour Relations Authority. While allowances were then paid, the amounts given were not as enshrined in employment law.

Further, during the month of fasting – when Muslims refrain from food and drink until sunset – a number of meetings, sessions, and training courses were scheduled late in the evening, making them unable to properly break their fasts.

Maldivian employees have also been told that they cannot pray during work hours, within or outside of the office. Staff who were the veil, as per Islamic custom, have also been asked to remove and company uniforms do not cater to it.

Another former employee at the company said that instead of making deductions from their salaries for late attendance, staff are required to make payments to the company on the following day. A majority of communication within the company is carried out in Chinese, an employee also said.

An employee formerly on the Coral Boulevard: Showroom’s sales team said that he and his collegues were briefed and then given questions to answer. If an employee is unable to adequately answer the question, they are given physical penalties such as having to do a number of calisthenic push-ups.

Construction of Coral Boulevard, where four 25-storey towers are to be erected in Maafannu of Malé, is carried out under the 'Rasfannu Mixed Use Development Project'. Chang Hua is also carrying out construction of the 25-storey tower for the Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital.