MIFCO settles MVR 105 million to fishermen
"MIFCO's plan is to continue to talk to the fishermen and make payments as planned and streamline the payment process later”.
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By
Shahudha Mohamed
Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company (MIFCO) has paid MVR 105 million in unpaid bills till January 14 as it settles outstanding to local fishermen.
MIFCO spokesperson Ahmed Nawaz Rasheed shared this in a message to the media on Monday.
“The CEO and management of MIFCO would like to thank the fishermen for their cooperation in this regard,” he added in the message.
Nawaz told Atoll Times on Tuesday that MVR 35 million has been released as money for the fish purchases between January 8 and 14.
Fisheries Minister Ahmed Shiyam told Atoll Times that the government had paid MVR 100 million by Monday. In addition to that amount, MVR 5 million has been given.
President Dr. Mohammed Muizzu has earlier said that when he took office, the amount owed to fishermen reached 200 million.
The fishermen have been protesting against the delay in payment, and Fisheries Minister Shiyam had responded:
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100 million of the outstanding MVR 280 million will be paid by the 26th of this month
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The remaining MVR 180 million will be paid by March 5, he said
Fishermen will be paid within 48 hours of selling their fish, Minister Shiyam said, and that the promise will be fulfilled as soon as possible.
He has previously said:
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MIFCO will pay for the fish weekly from the date this government changed the price of fish
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This is the fastest way to release the money due to the current financial situation; However, the goal is to receive payment within 48 hours
“The amount of money to be paid will increase because MIFCO is still buying fish,” Nawaz said when asked about the amount of money to be paid to fishermen.
"Therefore, MIFCO's plan is to continue to talk to the fishermen and make payments as planned and streamline the payment process later”.
