The decision to lay off several employees working at the Fenaka Corporation branch in Dhidhdhoo island of Haa Alif atoll, has made the spotlight.

The island council’s Vice President Abdulla Waheed has confirmed this matter with RaajjeMV.

He revealed that a large number of employees had protested against the “sudden” decision to dismiss them.

However, further details have not been clarified.

Sources report that 22 employees are being laid off at the Fenaka branch in Dhidhdhoo island.

These include eight skilled laborers, 12 laborers and two supervisors.

In a memo sent to employees, Fenaka revealed that the in-house engine and office building projects undertaken by the company have contracted for an excessive cost, incurring losses, with which the management has decided to go ahead with these projects on a “cost-effective” model.

With this, they have been notified that the employees involved in the project would be let go from 31 August 2024.

The memo was forwarded on 6 August 2024.

This comes at time the issue of politically motivated suspensions and dismissal of anti-government employees has been a growing concern among the public.

In the run-up to the elections for the 20th People’s Majlis assembly, jobs were assigned by Fenaka branches across different islands.

At the time, some politicians asserted that these were election-related jobs and would be terminated after the polls.

Some people have been saying that this is what is now being observed.

Fenaka earlier revealed that they would not be laying off employees and had decided to renew their contracts instead.

However, documents accessed by RaajjeMV show that employees who did not complete their contracts have also been laid off.

Although President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu pledged not to sack any employees, before coming into power, several employees from state-owned companies like Fenaka and STELCO are being terminated since he assumed office in November 2023.