Over 400 tonnes of fish in Addu factory; condition unknown: MIFCO
MIFCO said that this protest has caused mental distress and insecurity to the employees.
By
Aishath Maha
Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company (MIFCO) has revealed that the Addu Fish Factory (AFC) has 400 tonnes of fish at the facility, which has been shut down amidst fishermen’s protests since Saturday evening.
Fishermen have been protesting at the AFC since last Friday claiming non-payment for the fish bought by MIFCO in the past three months. The power to the factory was cut off Saturday afternoon.
MIFCO said the power supply was restored at 2 pm on Monday, two days later.
MIFCO PR Manager Ibrahim Saeed told the media on Tuesday that the fish factory employees are still unable to enter the premises. The details of the damage will be known after a detailed report is prepared, he said.
"Police are maintaining security there. The fishermen also are not against restoring power at the factory now," Saeed said.
According to him:
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The Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Fisheries and MIFCO are discussing how to pay the fishermen. We are trying to arrange the money this week
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The fishermen have still not left the area, but are now in the harbour area
MIFCO sent a message to the media on Tuesday regarding the protest at the Addu Fish Factory.
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There are currently 13 vessels in the port
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The fishermen are asking not to start operations, so no employees can enter the factory
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Employees are currently living at temporary accommodations
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The fishermen are demanding that a special representative of the minister or the president go there and meet the fishermen
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The fishermen's protest is going on smoothly
Saeed said that work is underway to bring the Addu fish factory back into operation. However, he said he believes that the fishermen's protest could intensify and there might be a riot if the operation is launched.
"A strategic plan is being prepared to bring the fish factory into operation. The fish factory is the bloodline of all fishermen as well. We gave the fishermen Friday and Saturday to protest, but the factory being shut down this long will cause loss to all fisheries sectors, including the fishermen”.
More than 100 people, including foreigners, are employed at the AFC, he said, and that this protest has caused mental distress and insecurity to the employees, he said.
