MNACI: Compliance monitoring crucial to reducing construction site injuries

The rise in construction site accidents and injuries is the result of lack of proper safety measures as well as the failure of law enforcement agencies to monitor compliance, says Maldives National Association of Construction Industry (MNACI).

Statistics collected from public hospitals in the Maldivian capital shows a sharp 65 percent rise in construction site accidents over the last four years.

Adnan Hilmy, the secretary-general of MNACI, told Sun on Tuesday that workplace injuries, and in some cases, fatalities, is a huge challenge facing the construction industry.

Adnan said that such tragedies result from failure to take proper safety measures.

He said that ensuring a safe work environment for construction workers in compliance with laws and regulations had always been a top priority for MNACI.

He noted that the association compiled a comprehensive policy on workplace safety at construction sites years back.

Adnan said the association receives a high number of complaints regarding failure of construction workers, especially expatriate workers, in complying with safety standards.

“This is a frequent complaint. They don’t wear safety helmets when told. We receive a lot of complaints regarding failure to follow safety rules,” he said.

Adnan said that one reason why such issues continue to persist is due to the failure of law enforcement agencies to regularly monitor compliance.

He said that the association has been involving relevant authorities in awareness programs on construction site safety.

Strengthening the implementation of laws and regulations as well as compliance monitoring is crucial to minimizing construction site accidents, he said.

Statistics show that a total of 458 people were treated for construction‑related injuries at public hospitals in the capital between 2022 and 2025.