Fenaka Dismisses 19 Nalafushi Employees Under Government Policy
Nineteen employees at the Fenaka branch in M. Naalaafushi were abruptly dismissed following the transfer of operations to STELCO, with the utility company citing a failure to pass their internal screening process. The terminated staff have launched a protest, alleging the move is politically motivated, while several political figures have condemned the dismissals as a targeted purge of non-government supporters. The situation has sparked significant public backlash and heightened tensions within the island community.
Fenaka Office, M. Naalaafushi. | FENAKA
It has emerged that 19 employees at the Fenaka Corporation branch in M. Naalaafushi have been abruptly dismissed from their positions.
RaajjeMV has obtained the termination notices issued to the dismissed employees. Fenaka Corporation sent these formal notices on Sunday, June 21, 2026.
The document states that following the government's decision to transfer Fenaka Corporation Limited's operations in Meemu Atoll to STELCO, the employees were not selected during the screening process conducted by STELCO for staff recruitment. Consequently, under Fenaka Corporation's redundancy policy, the employees were terminated effective June 22, after receiving compensation equivalent to a three-month notice period.
Following their sudden dismissal, a large number of employees staged a protest at the Fenaka Corporation office premises in Naalaafushi. The terminated staff alleged that their abrupt removal was politically motivated, noting that while STELCO had secured positions for certain individuals within Fenaka, a significant group was unexpectedly let go. The protesters highlighted that all the dismissed employees had joined the utility company during the previous Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) administration.
Responding to staff inquiries, Mohamed Naseem, the STELCO Manager for Naalaafushi, stated that the decision to transfer some employees to STELCO while dismissing others was made under direct instructions from the head office. He noted that the move was carried out without any prior consultation.
Addressing the protesting employees, Ibrahim Muaz, the Senior Political Director appointed by President Muizzu to the Naalaafushi Health Center, stated that previous administrations also based the hiring and firing of personnel in State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) on their level of support for the government. He further noted that this administration's policy similarly prioritizes providing employment to government supporters while dismissing those who do not support the government.
Critics on social media have condemned the move, describing it as an uncivilized act by the government aimed at displacing specific families. They further noted that the situation has disrupted the peace and social harmony within the island community. Some commentators have also warned that President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu is pushing the country to the brink of a revolution.
While a significant number of employees have been dismissed from the Fenaka branch in Naalaafushi, the current administration had previously recruited staff to state-owned enterprises beyond their operational requirements in the lead-up to elections. As the resulting financial losses became unsustainable, the company has been forced to downsize, leading to ongoing layoffs across Fenaka branches in various islands.
