Numbers show why fishers are not signing up for insurance scheme: Ministry
The Ministry made the statement in reference to the average earnings for a fisherman in one island; Gemanafushi of Gaafu Alifu atoll
According to the President Yameen's campaign pledge, all professional fishermen would receive a monthly income of at MVR 10,000; regardless of their yield
Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture has indicated that 'the only reason' why fishermen are not responding to the government's Fisherman Insurance Scheme, 'Beyas Nubeyas' is because they are doing well.
In a tweet sent out on Saturday, with a photo that shows the 'average earnings for a fisher from Gemanafushi (of Gaafu Alif atoll)' attached, the Ministry said that 'the only reason why fishers have not signed up for Beyas Nubeyas in numbers".
According to the statistics released by the Ministry, the average earning for a fisherman in January was MVR 36,900; MVR 58,700 in February; MVR 52,300 in March; 87,400 in April; 78,000 in May; and 83,600 in the first three weeks of June.
Highlighting these numbers, the Ministry said that this is the only reason why fishermen are not signing up for the Fisherman Insurance Scheme.
It is important to note that while the Ministry noted that the reason that the scheme has gotten such a low reception is because fishermen are doing well throughout the whole country, the statistics they released are of one island, in one atoll.
While the Ministry claims that all the fishermen in the country are doing well in numbers, a fisherman had confronted with Fisheries Minister Shainee in April. While a recording of the heated discussion circulated around social media, the fisherman is heard questioning the Minister over President Abdulla Yameen's pledge.
The man is heard saying that he had filled and submitted the required forms a number of times, but that he was yet to receive any allowance, asking the Minister if "anyone has received it at all".
While Minister Shainee did not look like he took the criticism well, he is heard responding harshly to the man, asking how much the fisherman makes. The Minister interrupts him as he is replying saying "if you lie-" as the video cuts off.
According to the President Yameen's campaign pledge, all professional fishermen would receive a monthly income of at MVR 10,000; regardless of their yield.
