Nazim claims MPL has 600 excess employees

Former Deputy Speaker of Parliament and Dhiggaru MP Ahmed Nazim has claimed that Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) employs around 600 more staff than required, alleging that many of them report for attendance and leave without carrying out any work.

Nazim made the remarks in Parliament on Monday during debate on a committee report concerning an audit of Fenaka Corporation.

It was his first speech in the People's Majlis since stepping down as Deputy Speaker after members of the ruling People's National Congress (PNC) parliamentary group initiated proceedings to remove him from the post.

Speaking during the debate, Nazim said state-owned enterprises (SOEs) should reduce expenditure and eliminate redundant positions in light of the country's economic situation.

He argued that excessive recruitment at SOEs has increased the amount of rufiyaa in circulation, contributing to the depreciation of the currency against the US dollar.

Nazim also alleged that over-recruitment intensified during the previous Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) administration, claiming that Fenaka recruited 38 employees during the Komandoo parliamentary by-election.

He described the practice using the Dhivehi expression "bandaara baaleehaha kafa vaddhaa gothah", referring to the unchecked expansion of the state payroll.

Nazim said that while serving on the Public Accounts Committee, he and the committee's vice-chair, Ahmed Saleem, met with MPL's senior management to review the company's operations.

"On the day I went with Saleem, the then CEO of MPL told us that the company had 600 more employees than it actually required," Nazim said.

He estimated that, based on an average monthly salary of between MVR 20,000 and MVR 30,000, maintaining the additional workforce costs the company around MVR 20 million each month.

"That MVR 20 million goes directly towards chasing US dollars. Moreover, most of these individuals simply punch their time cards and head back home," he said.

Nazim also referred to a list circulated in March ahead of the local council elections, which allegedly identified 85 political appointees at MPL.

He said the list claimed the individuals did not report for work and criticised the relevant authorities for not confirming whether the document was authentic.

"If employees join state-owned companies in such an unproductive manner, it inflicts immense damage on our economy," Nazim said.