The Employment Tribunal of the Maldives decided 273 cases last year, according to a compliance audit report released by the Auditor General's Office.
This comes as the tribunal, legally mandated to handle employment disputes in the country, experienced a notable increase in new case submissions.
The audit report indicates that 277 new cases were filed with the tribunal last year, marking a 38.5 percent increase compared to the 200 cases reported the previous year.
While the number of cases submitted rose, the tribunal maintained a steady pace in resolving cases, deciding 273 cases last year. However, this figure represents a slight decrease of 2.5 percent compared to the 280 cases decided in 2023, according to the Employment Tribunal's audit report.
A significant concern highlighted in the audit report is the growing backlog of pending cases. As of last year, 244 cases remained unresolved, including those filed in 2023. This is a substantial increase from the 124 cases pending in the previous year.
Beyond case statistics, the Auditor General's compliance audit also reviewed the tribunal's financial management. The report concluded that the Employment Tribunal operated within its allocated budget and adhered to financial regulations throughout last year.
The Employment Tribunal, established under the Employment Act, is responsible for resolving disputes between employers and employees, as well as other matters stipulated by relevant laws and agreements. The tribunal comprises seven members, including a president and vice-president, appointed by the President of the Maldives.