Yauqoob: Fenaka employees, hired for political purposes, are now being dismissed without any fair procedure

Former Member of Parliament for the Dhaandhoo constituency, Yauqoob Abdulla, has stated that after hiring staff at Fenaka for specific political purposes, the company is now dismissing them in an entirely unjust manner.

Speaking on RaajjeTV’s "Fala Surukhee" program, Yauqoob stated that Fenaka’s monthly payroll stood at MVR 55 million when the MDP administration ended. However, he noted that since the current government took office, this figure has surged to MVR 80 million per month. Expressing concern over the increase, he highlighted that this represents a monthly rise of approximately MVR 25 million, emphasizing that this level of waste is occurring within just a single state-owned enterprise.

Yauqoob highlighted that the current administration has doubled the workforce at Fenaka for political purposes, compared to the numbers maintained during the previous MDP government. He alleged that by providing employment at companies like Fenaka to numerous individuals previously active in the fishing industry, the government has weakened the sector and led to a drastic shortage of local fishermen. He further noted that the scarcity of local labor has now forced boat owners to bring in expatriates from neighboring islands to sustain fishing operations.

At that time, Fenaka was doubling its workforce. They were actively approaching people and pleading with them to join the company. They even went to fishermen and urged them to accept employment. In many islands known for fishing, vessels were unable to set sail. In cases where they did manage to go out, they were forced to recruit expatriates from other islands just to operate the boats.

Abdulla Yauqoob

Highlighting that many individuals previously active in the fishing industry were hired by Fenaka only to remain at home receiving salaries without any assigned tasks or productive work, Yaqoob stated that this practice directly destroys the overall productivity of the Maldivian people.

Yauqoob also countered President Muizzu’s recent remarks regarding this issue. The President had recently stated that it is not ideal for all citizens to rely solely on state-owned enterprises or government positions for employment. Yauqoob described it as ironic that the President would make such comments after his own administration had already recruited a significant number of employees into these state companies.

Expressing dissatisfaction with the current procedures for dismissing employees at Fenaka Corporation, Yauqoob stated that the process is being handled by a six-member committee established at the company's head office. He further alleged that while employee performance evaluations should be conducted by the respective island branches where the staff are based, the individuals being terminated are currently being determined by PNC steering committees.