MDP submits emergency motion over delay in settling fishermen’s dues

The former ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has submitted an emergency motion at the People’s Majlis, regarding the delay in settling dues owed to fishermen.

MP for Maradhoo constituency Ahmed Didi moved the emergency motion at the parliament during Tuesday’s sitting.

The emergency motion seeks an adequate solution to the massive delay in settling pending payments to local fishermen, who have been protesting nationwide due Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company Ltd (MIFCO)’s failure to settle dues after weighing fishermen’s catch.

The lawmaker stressed that President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu came into power with huge promises made to fishermen that they would be paid within the first 48 hours of their catch.

However, the lawmaker highlighted that the fishermen and their families have been in a pit of distress as they have not been paid their dues.

He stated that fishermen and their families amounting to about 400, have been protesting in southernmost Addu City for days now.

MP Didi has urged the government to settle the payments as soon as possible, without obstructing the protests.

The fisher community in the south of Maldives have been protesting and demanding against the seizure of the millions in due for their catch, weighed at MIFCO’s complex in Hulhumeedhoo district of Addu, for five days now.

MIFCO has come under fire after this issue surfaced, with several members of the public also demanding they listen to the fisher community and pay their dues.

MIFCO has threatened to stop buying fish from the fishing boats of the protesting fishermen for a period of three months if fishermen continue to obstruct work at the fisheries complex in the area where the fishermen are protesting.

Following this, infuriated fishermen have stated that they would continue protesting even if MIFCO suspends them.

MIFCO has stressed that the company is facing major setbacks in operations which in turn has led to immense losses, following the protests at the Addu Fisheries Complex.

The protesting fishermen have been stressing that their families are in a dire situation as they have not been paid by MIFCO for their catches, for a long time.

Having painted a mesmerizing picture for the community, Muizzu back then assured that if he is elected, fishermen would be paid in US dollars for their catch within the first 48 hours.

Addu fishermen have been demanding the government to settle their dues within at least 15 days, if it is unable to pay them within 24 hours.