Employment Tribunal Upholds TMA’s Dismissal of Cabin Attendant Over Forged Medical Certificate

The Employment Tribunal of the Maldives has ruled that Trans Maldivian Airways (TMA) acted lawfully in dismissing a cabin attendant who submitted a forged medical certificate, concluding that the company’s decision was justified and that the employee is not entitled to compensation.

The Tribunal, which adjudicates employment disputes across the country, delivered its decision in the first week of March after reviewing the complaint filed by the employee in October 2024.

The case originated from an incident in July 2024, when the cabin attendant submitted a medical certificate that appeared legitimate because it carried a valid document number issued by Hulhumale’ Hospital. According to the Tribunal’s findings, the employee had initially been issued a medical certificate after contracting dengue fever and sustaining a mouth injury. He later created a second certificate using the same document number and submitted it to TMA’s Human Resources department as a separate medical excuse.

Verification by the employer revealed that the second certificate was forged, prompting TMA to initiate disciplinary action. The cabin attendant subsequently filed a complaint with the Employment Tribunal, claiming he had been wrongfully dismissed and requesting reinstatement along with salary and allowances for the period he remained out of work.

After reviewing the evidence, the Tribunal determined that the employee’s actions constituted a serious breach of the employment contract. It found that the submission of a forged medical document amounted to misrepresentation and resulted in a loss of trust an essential component of the employer–employee relationship, particularly in the aviation sector. The Tribunal also noted that TMA had followed proper procedures in handling the matter and that there was no evidence to support the claim of unlawful dismissal.

In its ruling, the Tribunal stated that the employee could not be compensated, as the dismissal was lawful and proportionate to the misconduct. The decision underscores the importance of integrity and accurate documentation in aviation operations, where safety and reliability depend heavily on employee accountability.

The ruling is expected to serve as a reference point for future cases involving document falsification and contractual breaches within the aviation industry and the wider employment landscape in the Maldives.