HRCM probes safety protocols at WAMCO after string of workplace accidents

The Human Rights Commission of Maldives (HRCM) announced on Tuesday that it has initiated an urgent investigation into occupational safety protocols at the Waste Management Corporation (WAMCO) following recurring injuries at the corporation’s worksites.

The decision follows two workplace accidents at WAMCO site this year, including one that resulted in the death of a 24-year-old worker and is the subject of a police investigation.

In a post on X on early Wednesday, the HRCM noted a recurrence of workplace injuries at WAMCO.

The HRCM said it initiated on Tuesday evening “an urgent investigation into the Occupational Safety and Health protocols established at WAMCO to prevent workplace injuries and hazards in their operations.”

ވެމްކޯގެ މަސައްކަތު މާހައުލުގެ ރައްކާތެރިކަމާގުޅޭ ތަފާތު މައްސަލަތައް ތަކުރާރުކޮށް ދިމާވަމުންދާތީ، ވެމްކޯގެ މުވައްޒަފުންގެ މަސައްކަތު މާޙައުލުގެ ސަލާމަތާއި ރައްކާތެރިކަމާ ގުޅޭގޮތުން، އަވަސް ތަހުގީގެއް ހިންގަން މިރޭ ބޭއްވި ހިޔުމަން ރައިޓްސް ކޮމިޝަނުގެ ބައްދަލުވުމަކުން ނިންމައިފި.…

— HRC of the Maldives (@hrcmv) February 24, 2026

The decision comes after a WAMCO driver sustained serious injuries this week after slipping and falling into a container.

The incident gained public attention after a Facebook user shared a photo of a man in WAMCO uniform lying injured inside a deep container.

The Facebook user said the man fell into the container from one of WAMCO’s ramps, and that the incident took place at around 03:00 am Monday.

The police said the incident was reported to them on Monday evening.

The WAMCO worker sustained serious injuries in the incident, and is being treated on a ventilator at the Indhira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH).

When questioned about the incident, a spokesperson from WAMCO confirmed the identity of the injured as one of the company’s drivers.

The spokesperson said that he “slipped and fell into the container while engaged in work outside his official duties.”

The spokesperson also said the company immediately informed relevant authorities upon becoming aware of the situation, and took the injured worker to the hospital.

WAMCO has been accused of warning workers who were present to hide what they witnessed.

This allegation is denied by WAMCO, which said they have nothing to hide and are providing their full cooperation to the authorities.

The latest tragedy came after a WAMCO worker was found dead in January at one of the company’s sites in Thilafushi two days after he went missing. Investigators found 24-year-old Ameen Mia, a Bangladeshi laborer, got hit by an excavator and got buried under piles of waste. The excavator operator has been arrested by police and is under investigation for involuntary manslaughter.

And in December, a WAMCO worker sustained serious injuries after accidently ingesting diesel at the company’s site in GA. Dhiyadhoo.

These incidents have renewed scrutiny over workplace safety.