Fishermen Protest Over Unpaid Bills in Hulhumeedhoo
Photo: Maldives Police Service (MPS)
Fishermen are protesting over unpaid bills for their catch on the island of Hulhumeedhoo in southern Addu City.
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According to the Maldives Police Service (MPS), over 80 fishermen gathered at the MIFCO harbour in Hulhumeedhoo today. The protesters warned police that if their demands are not met with a satisfactory response, they will forcibly remove all senior staff from the MIFCO factory and halt its operations.
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Addu Masverinah sarukaarun dheyn jehey faisaa nudhinumun masverinnai aailaatha vanee angayaa athaa dhimaa nuvey bodethi dhathi thakai kurimathi laan jehifai addu Masverin Addu MIFCO complex gai ihuthijaaju @ pic.twitter.com/0mjHTIriPW— 𝔐𝔦𝔯𝔷𝔞𝔞𝔤 (@MirzaagMV) June 22, 2024
In response to the events today, Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Resources Ahmed Shiyam posted on X saying that the government is closely monitoring and listening to the protesters in Addu and is sharing details of the work being done by MIFCO and the government.
އައްޑޫ ފިޝަރީޒް ކޮމްޕްލެކްސް ސަރަހައްދުގައި ކުރިޔަށްދާ އިހުތިޖާޖު ފެށުމުގެ ކުރިންވެސް އަދި މިހާރުވެސް ސަރުކާރުން ދަނީ ވަރަށް ގާތުން ބަލަމުން އަޑުއަހަމުން އަދި އެކަމުގައި މިފްކޯ އަދި ސަރުކާރުން ކުރަމުންދާ މަސައްކަތުގެ ތަފްސީލުވެސް މިދަނީ ހިއްސާ ކުރަމުން.— Ahmed Shiyam (@Shiyamaldives) June 22, 2024
The fishermen’s protest is part of a growing wave of discontent across the country regarding delays in payments for their catch. Earlier this month, over 50 vessels and hundreds of fishermen staged a protest in Hulhumale over delayed payments amounting to MVR 80 million, which MIFCO owes to the fishermen. Following the protest, MIFCO announced that it would release MVR 46 million within one week.
The state-owned company has been struggling to pay fishermen after the cost of fish per kilogram was increased to MVR 25 last year. This situation has led to financial strain and frustration among the fishing community, prompting the recent protests.
