The corporate social responsibility of Dhiraagu is based on responsibly grounded business decision making that considers the broad impact of corporate actions on people, communities and the environment. Dhiraagu strives to give importance to the socio-economic developments of the country and engage in operations and services in a conscientious and responsible manner.

Dhiraagu recognises the country’s fragile environment and gives importance to sustainable development.

Key aspects of Dhiraagu’s CSR programme include:
• Positive contribution to the social and economic development of the community.
• Respect for the culture, values and human rights throughout our operation
• Encourage and nurture best practices in our activities
• Contribute towards protecting the environment

Contributing positively to the social and economic development of the community

We are actively involved in community activities and regularly sponsor and contribute to worthy causes, mainly in the areas of healthcare, education, and youth development. We also actively support island communities in their social activities and partner with NGOs to raise public awareness on social issues such as drug abuse and child protection.

• The donation of a telemedicine system to the Ministry of Health and Family, now installed in Gdh. Thinadhoo, enabling remote access to medical services at IGM hospital in Male’.
• Dhiraagu Apprentice Programme (DAP) supports work skill development of young Maldivians, along with structured training, provides an opportunity for the youth to gain experience in a professional work environment.
• Established a resource centre with free internet and computer facilities in ‘Kudakudhinge Hiya’ orphanage. Similarly the Company has also established a cyber centre in the National Thalassaemia Centre. Free Internet was provided for the home for people with special needs in Guraidhoo.
• Dhiraagu is the exclusive sponsor of a national football league, now named as ‘Dhiraagu DhivehiLeague’ with the aim to inspire and develop young talent in football, the country’s most popular sport.

Respect for the culture, values and human rights throughout our operation

• Ethics policy promoting integrity in employee’s conduct has been recently reviewed to include an anti-bribery policy in line with Cable & Wireless Communications guidelines.
• Dhiraagu is a member of the ‘GSMA Mobile Alliance Against Child Sexual Abuse Content’ and established a system to filter child abuse content. The service blocks child sexual abuse content on Dhiraagu internet, relying on a comprehensive block list provided by the Internet Watch Foundation (UK). Dhiraagu is the only service provider in the Maldives to implement this service along with other leading telecom operators in the world
• Dhiraagu’s annual broadband race is dedicated to a worthy cause and this year’s theme was to raise awareness against child abuse. The race is always well attended and is a good platform to raise funds for social causes.
• Dhiraagu also helped to establish a free twenty four hour seven day a week ‘Child help line’ for children to contact and seek assistance.
• A free national drug abuse helpline was also established for the Ministry of Health and Family to offer counselling and support relating to drug abuse.

Encourage and nurture best practices in our activities

• Human resource development, succession planning, knowledge acquisition and sharing are key focus areas of Dhiraagu. The fact that the majority of the employees including senior management are internally trained Maldivians, is a testament to this CSR objective.
• The Company has successfully run its own medical benefits scheme for several years and a voluntary retirement benefit scheme until the establishment of the national pension scheme. The Company contributes 10% to the employee pension fund which is beyond the 7% required by legislation.
• The health and safety policy was established, to help protect employees and to ensure a safe work environment.
• Dhiraagu’s procurement policy is publicised and well-defined tender processes are used in purchases.

Encourage and nurture best practices in our activities

• A high level of importance is given to human resource development and employee welfare. Dhiraagu recognises and rewards employee contributions, aims to improve employee engagement and instils good governance through best practices.
• Human resource development, succession planning, knowledge acquisition and sharing are key focus areas of Dhiraagu. The fact that the majority of the employees including senior management are internally trained Maldivians, is a testament to this CSR objective.
• The Company has successfully run its own medical benefits scheme for several years and a voluntary retirement benefit scheme until the establishment of the national pension scheme. The Company contributes 10% to the employee pension fund which is beyond the 7% required by legislation.
• The health and safety policy was established, to help protect employees and to ensure a safe work environment.
• Dhiraagu’s procurement policy is publicised and well-defined tender processes are used in purchases.

Contribute towards protecting the environment

• Dhiraagu is one of the largest users of renewable energy in the Maldives. Solar energy is used as an alternative source of power in many of the network distribution sites across the country.
• In 2009, Dhiraagu supported the national level effort during the 350.org’s International Day of Climate Action to raise global warming issues with financial sponsorship and in kind support.