Maldives national airline continues operations with inexperienced crew members following cabin crew strike

Following a strike by its cabin crew, Maldives national airline has continued operations with crews in training on Wednesday.

RaajjeMV understands that 'Maldivian' airline was forced to continue operations with inexperienced cabin crew members due to a strike by its crew over 'bonus' pay issues.

While cabin crew members ensure the safety of passengers, a total of four flights flew with inexperienced crew members on Wednesday; two in the morning and two in the afternoon.

This is against Island Aviation regulations, which states that a crew under training can only fly with a senior crew member, and after completing the required amount of flight hours.

Maldivian's cabin crew members decided to go on a strike over an issue with their bonuses, MVR 5,000, which was finally given to them on Tuesday after three years.

While around 50 cabin crew members are to have took part in the strike, their main concern is over the lack of transparency in issuing the bonuses. Those that are to have worked for a short period is to have been given the bonus pay, while those that worked for over five years were not provided anything.

RaajjeMV understands that Maldivian's managing director Abdul Haris met with the crew members following their decision to hold a strike.

Article 31 of the Constitution state that "every person employed in the Maldives and all other workers have the freedom to stop work and to strike in order to protest".