Amina Khatoon claims she was removed from HIAL official communication channels shortly after delivery and was denied an experience certificate, affecting her subsequent job prospects.
BY PC Bureau
November 6, 2026: A former woman employee of the Himalayan Institute of Alternative Learning (HIAL), founded by climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, has taken the institution to the labour court, accusing it of denying her statutory maternity benefits and effectively cutting her off from the organisation shortly after she gave birth.
Amina Khatoon, who joined HIAL in July 2023, has approached the labour authorities in Leh, alleging that the institution withheld her salary for the 26 weeks of maternity leave to which she was entitled under the law and her employment contract.
According to her complaint, Khatoon continued working throughout her pregnancy before going on maternity leave on March 9, 2024. She said she completed all the required formalities and submitted the documents relating to her pregnancy and delivery within the stipulated time. However, HIAL allegedly withheld her maternity pay without offering any explanation.
The complaint also alleges that within a month of her delivery, HIAL CEO Gitanjali Angmo removed Khatoon from the organisation’s official team WhatsApp group and her corporate email account was deactivated. The management allegedly failed to clarify whether she remained an employee or when she could resume work, leaving her in uncertainty during the postpartum period.
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When Khatoon subsequently tried to rejoin, she was reportedly asked to return home and wait for an update from the human resources department. No further communication followed, according to the complaint.
She also alleged that HIAL withheld her experience certificate, making it difficult for her to pursue other employment opportunities. This, she claimed, cost her a prospective position with Engineers India Limited (EIL), as she could not submit the required certificate along with her resume.
Khatoon said she repeatedly contacted CEO Gitanjali Angmo, the HR department and founder Sonam Wangchuk over several months to resolve the matter. However, she received no satisfactory response on her pending dues or employment status, eventually prompting her to seek legal intervention.
The complaint was registered with the Assistant Labour Commissioner, Leh, on June 27, 2026. It concerns alleged non-payment and delayed payment of wages and maternity benefits.
Court records indicate that notices were issued to Angmo and an HR representative identified as Deachen on multiple occasions. The labour authority subsequently issued a final notice directing the respondents to appear before it, warning that non-compliance could invite further legal action.
HIAL has not issued any public response to the allegations.
