Parliamentarian, Rozaina Adam submitted a motion to the parliament today to expedite the settlement of payment for the fishermen, highlighting that arranging reimbursement for fishermen within 2 days of weighing fish was a pledge made by the president.
A motion has been submitted to the parliament yesterday, appealing to expedite the settlement of the payment owed to the fishermen.
While submitting the motion, Addu/Meedhu Constituency parliamentarian, Rozaina Adam remarked that the payment owed by the state for fish sold by fishermen has remained unsettled since December 18, 2023 and that that the sum now exceeds MVR 298 million.
Rozaina stated that while a regulation is being enacted to better appreciate work of the fishermen and determine a suitable income for them, facilitating an arrangement that allows fishermen to receive payment within 48 hours of weighing fish was a presidential pledge by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.
“As fishermen perform a laborious and important role in building the Maldivian economy, receiving remuneration for the work they do is their right,” Rozaina asserted.
She further highlighted that two months has passed since their complaints of unsettled payments the for the fish sold and that settling these payments has never before been prolonged to such an extended period of time after weighing fish for MIFCO.
She stated that fishermen are facing difficulties and have insufficient funds to cover some of the most fundamental needs for living as a result of this.
“I call unto the government to take quick action and expedite handing over payments to these individuals for the fish they catch,” Rozaina insisted.
Fisheries Minister Ahmed Shiyam revealed yesterday that a payment of MVR 300 million owed to the fishermen is unsettled. He had assured that the backlog is being dealt with and that the fishermen will cease to have to harbour concerns over unsettled payments following the 5th of next month.
These fishermen had begun their protest in Kooddoo yesterday morning to express their disapproval of the three-month delay in receiving their payments. Fisheries Minister Ahmed Shiyam had departed from Shaviyani atoll to Kooddoo personally to address this issue and met with the protesters. He had ensured the fishermen that one third of the payment, MVR 100 million will be settled before the month of Ramadan. Not satisfied with the offer, fishermen decided to continue with the protest.
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