Maldives Post Ltd has been fined MVR 900,000 for failing to comply with an order from the Whistleblower Protection Unit after unlawfully dismissing an employee who exposed corruption within the company.

Established under the Human Rights Commission of Maldives in 2019, the Whistleblower Protection Unit enforces the Whistleblower Protection Act, which allows for fines of up to MVR 1 million for non-compliance. This marks the first time a state institution has been penalized by the unit.

The unit had initially ordered Maldives Post to refrain from taking action against employees in the Business Development and Marketing Department while an investigation into corruption allegations was ongoing. Despite this, Maldives Post proceeded with the dismissal of an employee.

In response, the unit issued a second directive ordering the reinstatement of the dismissed employee. However, Maldives Post refused to comply, resulting in the MVR 900,000 fine.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) is currently investigating six cases of corruption within Maldives Post. The fine imposed by the Whistleblower Protection Unit highlights growing accountability measures for state institutions in the Maldives.