HDC appeals against ruling on compensation to Yameen

Housing Development Corporation (HDC) has appealed a tribunal ruling ordering the reinstatement of its former Chief Business Officer and Media Department Head, Ahmed Yameen, and the payment of compensation.

Yameen, who was appointed Chief Business Officer in December 2023 on a one-year contract, saw his contract lapse in December last year. A month later, in January, HDC informed him that the contract would not be renewed.

The case was taken to the Employment Tribunal, which ruled that Yameen held a permanent post without a specified term and that his dismissal was carried out without substantive or procedural fairness. The tribunal subsequently ordered HDC to reinstate Yameen and pay him MVR 144,000, equivalent to six months’ salary in compensation.

Yameen has previously said that he completed the appraisal process to become a permanent employee under the supervision of then-Managing Director Ibrahim Fazul Rasheed, who had also decided to confirm his post as permanent. He questioned the validity of HDC’s decision, noting the letter of non renewal was issued a month after his contract had already expired.

It is unclear on what grounds the company chose not to renew his contract. Yameen has claimed he was sidelined from his responsibilities following investigations into the Gedhoruveriyaa and Binveriyaa housing schemes.

HDC has now appealed the tribunal’s decision in High Court.