The Employment Tribunal of the Maldives has ruled in favour of Trans Maldivian Airways (TMA), finding that the airline acted lawfully in dismissing a cabin attendant who submitted a forged medical certificate.

The ruling, issued in early March, followed a complaint filed by the employee in October 2024, in which he alleged wrongful dismissal and sought reinstatement with back pay.

The case arose from a July 2024 incident in which the employee submitted a medical certificate carrying a valid document number from Hulhumalé Hospital.

The tribunal found that while the employee had initially been granted medical leave after contracting dengue fever and sustaining a mouth injury, he later produced a second certificate using the same number and submitted it as a separate excuse.

Verification by the employer confirmed the second document was falsified, leading to disciplinary action and eventual dismissal.

After reviewing the evidence, the tribunal determined that the act amounted to serious misconduct and a breach of contract, undermining the trust essential in the employer–employee relationship, particularly in the aviation sector.

It also found that TMA had followed due process and that there was no evidence of unlawful dismissal.

The tribunal ruled that the employee is not entitled to compensation, stating that the dismissal was justified and proportionate.