Businesses in Male’ are facing difficulties after porters continue to strike over the restrictions made to transporting goods in the capital city.

From April 1 onwards, businesses are only allowed to transport their goods from 6pm to 6am.

Porters are demanding changes to their working schedules and an increase to their wages.

Some porters told RaajjeMV that the new changes could mean that they would have to spend the whole night loading and unloading goods, taking time away for their families.

A businessman who has been unable to clear his goods due to the strike told RaajjeMV that yesterday he was only able to clear some of the containers from the harbor.

Some businesses have said that the slow-down in transportation would lead to scarcity in the market, meaning that they would have to hike up their prices. A hike in food products such as onions and potatoes would create difficulties for households, especially during the upcoming month of Ramadan, the businesses said.

300 Maldivians are estimated to be working as porters. While some have met with Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) officials to discuss changes to their working schedule, so far there has been no response.