Maldives Trade Union (MTU) has advised shipping lines and freight agents against overcharging importers.

The MTU said in a statement on Tuesday that they have received complaints of such shipping and freight agents overcharging importers, claiming additional costs for ports services.

MTU said that while the shipping industry is dominated by foreign operators, mostly from Sri Lanka, they have the freedom to set the local price of import.

In this regard, the MTU says that some importers have reported being charged for absolutely no service at all.

MTU says that this exploitation is well known but remains a matter yet to be addressed.