10 SOE Employees Dismissed Over Campaign Involvement: Sobe

Abdulla Sodiq, the Member of Parliament for the North Hithadhoo constituency, has stated that 10 employees of state-owned enterprises who participated in his recent by-election campaign have been dismissed, with several others facing pending suspensions.

Sobe made these remarks while addressing a meeting of the MDP National Council.

Sobe stated that several family members and friends who assisted him during his recent by-election campaign were dismissed from their jobs by the time the election results were announced. He further noted that individuals from other constituencies were also terminated from their positions, even if they had not actively participated in the campaign, simply for being seen in photographs with him during social gatherings.

Sobe stated that although the government cites cost-cutting as the reason for these dismissals, this is far from the truth. He noted that while employees are being terminated under the guise of austerity measures, there are individuals on the payrolls of these companies who remain at home without performing any work. Furthermore, he alleged that the redundancies are being carried out in violation of the established procedures and regulations of the respective companies.

When the election results were announced, the family members and friends who had come out to support my campaign were dismissed from their jobs. Meanwhile, individuals from other constituencies who were not involved in my campaign at all—people who merely met for an occasional coffee—were also terminated based on nothing more than a photograph. The reason cited for these dismissals is cost-cutting. However, if the goal is truly to reduce expenses, there are people on the payroll of these companies who have signed contracts but remain at home without performing any work. These terminations have been carried out in violation of the established internal procedures for redundancy and cost reduction. Therefore, this is not an issue we can resolve by remaining silent, nor is it something that can be settled quickly through the Employment Tribunal or the courts. The only way to address this is by coming out to protest this Thursday.

Abdullah Sodiq (Sobe), Member of Parliament for the Hithadhoo North constituency.

Sobe stated that in addition to those already dismissed, numerous employees have been suspended, and a lengthy list of further terminations is still pending. He emphasized that these issues cannot be resolved quickly through tribunals or courts alone, asserting that such actions can only be halted if the public takes to the streets in protest.

Speaking on the development projects in Addu City, Sobe noted that the primary grievance raised by residents during his door-to-door campaign visits was the stagnation of housing initiatives. He highlighted that work on the housing units and flats previously launched in Addu has come to a standstill. Furthermore, he stated that no solutions have been provided for the city's water and electricity issues, pointing out that progress on the powerhouse remains exactly where the previous administration left it.

Describing the current state of electricity in Addu City, Sobe stated that although the powerhouse is overcrowded with small generators to the point of being inaccessible, there is still no system capable of generating sufficient power to meet the needs of the entire population. He further noted that numerous ongoing projects in Addu have come to a standstill, with some reaching a state of total dilapidation.

In light of these issues, Sobe has called upon all citizens seeking solutions to housing, water, and electricity challenges, as well as those who have been dismissed from their jobs, to join a protest scheduled for this coming Thursday. He further stated that he would be personally participating in the demonstration.