The issue of Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company (MIFCO)’s failure to pay fishermen their dues for the past three weeks, has come into the spotlight.

RaajjeMV understands that MIFCO has not settled payments for fishermen’s catch, since August 11.

On August 11, MIFCO released funds for the catch they purchased within the period between the end of July and the first week of August.

MIFCO settled MVR 4.2 million for 266 metric tonnes of catch.

Speaking to RaajjeMV, a local fisher stressed that the total amount of money that remains unpaid to fishermen by MIFCO, stands at MVR 10 million.

Citing the massive delay in settling their dues, the fisherman noted that this has led to several concerns raising within the fisher community, once again.

Further, the fisherman noted that it was not acceptable to have to take to the streets to pour their concerns every time the payments get delayed.

He added that due to MIFCO’s failure in settling fishermen’s dues again, it has created issues for them to arrange funds for necessities such as refueling.

The fishermen also cited the slashing of the price tag for their catch as an issue of concern.

Having painted a mesmerizing picture for the community, Muizzu came into power with huge promises made to fishermen.

Some of the many promises he made to the fisher community include ensuring their rights as well as paying them for catch upfront.

Despite embedding this “ideal” picture into fishermen’s minds, the incumbent administration has slashed the price of fish bought from fishing boats and significantly increased the price of oil.

Muizzu also promised that the government would make it possible for fishermen to get fuel at affordable rates, going on to promise that they would begin purchasing yellowfin tuna for MIFCO as well.

However, fishermen have been stressing that the government is yet to fulfil any of these promises, and bring life to the picture painted before coming into power.

Muizzu had back then assured that if he is elected, fishermen would be paid in US dollars for their catch within the first 48 hours.

Distressed fishermen have stressed that the percentage of people going fishing now has significantly gone down as they are not being paid, in turn resulting in less people growing fondness for fishing, which is considered a major lifeline of the country’s economy.

Nine months since assuming office, the incumbent administration has failed embarrassingly in delivering promises made to the community, with fishermen saying that they do not know what happened to all the “big talk”.