Hearings begin in High Court appeal of Jennifer’s dismissal

Following a two-year delay, the High Court has commenced hearings on an appeal filed by Island Aviation Services Limited (IASL) challenging a ruling that ordered the reinstatement and compensation of Aishath Jennifer, the company’s former Deputy Managing Director, who was dismissed under the current administration.

Jennifer was removed from her position as Deputy Managing Director of Island Aviation Services in January 2024. In October of the same year, the Employment Tribunal ruled that she must be reinstated to her former position.

IASL appealed the Employment Tribunal’s decision at the High Court. Formal hearings in the case commenced two years later, on Wednesday.

The Tribunal’s initial judgment instructed IAS to reinstate Jennifer and maintain her employment record as if the dismissal had not occurred. It also ordered the company to provide all salaries and benefits she would have received during the period of her dismissal. Furthermore, after determining that her termination lacked sufficient justification, the Tribunal awarded her MVR 56,171 in compensation, equivalent to one month’s salary.

Jennifer, who has served in various capacities at IAS since June 2000, was appointed as the company’s Deputy Managing Director on December 25, 2018, during the previous administration. She had earlier served as Deputy Head of IAS from June 2014 until March 2016, when she was dismissed during the administration of former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom.

Following that dismissal, Jennifer sought relief through the Employment Tribunal, which ordered her reinstatement in April 2017. She was eventually reappointed to the company in December 2018, but was dismissed again after a change in administration.