MIFCO pays MVR 46 out of 80 million to fishermen
While presidential promises remain unfulfilled, there is talk of restarting longline fishing, a method of indiscriminate fishing that was banned in 2019.
By
Ahmed Mizyal
Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company (MIFCO) will pay MVR 46 million out of the outstanding MVR 80 million to fishermen on Thursday.
Fishermen have not been paid by MIFCO for one and a half months. It is learned that the last payment was made on April 11.
MIFCO's media group on Thursday said that about MVR 80 million has not been paid to fishermen.
“MIFCO will make payments totalling MVR 46 million outstanding to the boat owners by Thursday,” he said.
"In addition, MIFCO is working with the ministry and the government to clear the pendings”.
According to the MIFCO official the amount of unpaid money keeps increasing over time, as fishermen keep bringing in their catch and MIFCO keeps buying.
The official said the company would shape its operations within three years to overcome the challenge of always having debt and find a way to operate without subsidies.
"At the same time, discussions are underway with MIFCO and the ministry to relocate the Kanduohgiri facility to Hulhumale. But no decision has been taken yet," he said.
Currently, MIFCO buys fish at MVR 20 per kg with government subsidy.
About 50 boats-full of fishermen protested in the Male area on Wednesday to raise their concerns with the government.
The main concerns of the fishermen are:
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Not fixing the purchase price of fish between MVR 80 - 100 as was promised by Muizzu during the presidential election
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MIFCO would not purchase large yellowfin tuna
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While these promises remain unfulfilled, there is talk of restarting longline fishing, a method of indiscriminate fishing that was banned in 2019
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Reducing the price of fuel sold to fishermen in Hulhumale
The fishermen stopped their protest on Wednesday evening after the ministry assured them that they would get fuel at the normal rate and that longline fishing will not be allowed.
