Hearings conclude in Jennifer’s termination case

The High Court has concluded hearings on an appeal filed by Island Aviation Services (IAS) challenging an Employment Tribunal ruling ordering 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 in her favor and ordered her reinstatement.

IAS subsequently appealed the Tribunal’s decision to the High Court. After more than two years of appellate proceedings, hearings concluded on Thursday. Before the hearings ended, the High Court had issued a stay order suspending the enforcement of the Tribunal’s ruling.

The Employment Tribunal’s original ruling ordered IAS to reinstate Jennifer to her former position and restore her employment status as though she had never been dismissed, including payment of all outstanding salaries and benefits. Finding that there were insufficient grounds for her dismissal, the Tribunal also ordered the company to pay her MVR 56,171 in compensation, equivalent to one month’s salary.

Jennifer has served in various roles at IAS since June 2018 and was appointed Deputy Managing Director on December 25, 2018, during the previous administration.

Her career at IAS also includes serving as Deputy Head from June 2014 to March 2016, before she was dismissed during the administration of former president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayyoom. She subsequently challenged the dismissal at the Employment Tribunal, which ordered her reinstatement in April 2017. She was reinstated in December 2018 but was dismissed again following a change of administration.