Muizzu fails to address dollar payment promise to fishermen
Muizzu has said that he has fulfilled his promise to pay within 48 hours of weighing fish
President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu at a Cabinet meeting
While President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu praised the growing strength of the fishing industry, he made no mention of his campaign promise to pay fishermen in U.S. dollars at a rate of no less than MVR 20 per kilogram.
During a press conference held at the President's Office on Saturday, Muizzu spoke about his promise to pay fishermen within 48 hours.
However, he did not mention his promise to pay fishermen in USD at a rate not less than MVR 20 per kilogram of fish.
Highlighting that fishermen are being paid continuously, Muizzu said that when he took office, there was about MVR 250 million in unpaid dues, and although there were delays, the funds have since been settled. Muizzu went on to reveal that under an agreement reached with Bank of Maldives (BML), MIFCO, and the Ministry of Finance, fishermen have been receiving payments since 10 December 2024.
The president highlighted that investments in the fishing industry have begun, and individual fishermen and boat builders have started building vessels. Noting that young people who previously worked on boats had moved to other jobs, Muizzu stated that these youth are now returning and boarding boats again.
He said this was a result of the government regularly settling funds for fishermen.
Muizzu came to power promising to pay for fish caught by fishermen within 48 hours of weighing. His promises to fishermen also included arranging for payments in USD for weighed fish. Further, Muizzu promised not to lower the price MIFCO pays for a kilogram of fish below MVR 20.
However, Muizzu has said that he has fulfilled his promise to pay within 48 hours of weighing fish by paying boat owners with accounts at BML in Maldivian Rufiyaa after several days.
