The Employment Tribunal closed 273 cases in 2024, according to a compliance audit released by the Auditor General’s Office, which also confirmed that the body’s expenditure was carried out in line with budgetary rules and regulations.

The tribunal, legally mandated to adjudicate workplace disputes in the Maldives, registered 277 new cases during the year, an increase of 38.5 per cent compared to 2023, when 200 cases were filed. While the number of new cases rose, the total disposed fell slightly, down 2.5 per cent from 280 decisions reached in 2023.

The audit further noted that 244 cases remain pending, including 124 lodged in 2023 that were still awaiting resolution last year. The backlog highlights ongoing pressure on the tribunal despite the institution’s role as the country’s primary mechanism for resolving employment disputes under the Employment Act.

On the financial side, the Auditor General’s report found that the tribunal’s expenditure adhered to the allocations and procedures set out in the national budget, reflecting compliance with fiscal governance standards.

The Employment Tribunal consists of seven members, including a president and vice-president, appointed by the President of the Maldives. Its primary objective is to deliver swift and fair rulings on disputes between employers and employees, as well as matters arising under employment contracts or related legislation.