Fisheries Minister Shiyam to travel to Kooddoo over heated fishermen’s strike

Fisheries Minister Ahmed Shiyam has decided to travel to GA. Kooddoo on Sunday as the fishermen’s protest at the island over unpaid dues heated up.

Fisheries Ministry confirmed to Sun that the Minister will travel to the island on Sunday. His flight is scheduled for 3:30pm.

Last week, Minister Shiyam said that the unpaid dues to fishermen totaled at approximately MVR 270 million.

Videos of fishermen protesting at Kooddoo on Sunday went viral on social media.

The videos show fishermen inside MIFCO’s factory, questioning the operations head. They had obstructed operations at the factory. As per the fishermen, they are due payment for three months. The fishermen captured in the video expressed discontent over the government’s failure to answer to them.

Anvaru ge kusheh noon faisa nudhevi lasvany
Misarukaaru ge naagaabil kamun faisa nudhevi 2 mas faaithuve mi dhiya e @Shiyamaldives @shiuna_m kobaahey faisaaa pic.twitter.com/2FtbyCKydc

— محمد حسن (@mKeyolhu) February 18, 2024

“There is no one to answer us. MIFCO has not. Fisheries Ministry has not," a fisherman says on the video.

A fisherman who spoke to Sun confirmed that the fishermen had halted the operations at the MIFCO factory, adding they would end the strike once they are paid the dues.

The government has previously said they are settling dues owed to fishermen. In this trajectory, Minister Shiyam said MVR 422 million has been disbursed. In response, fishermen said they only receive payment after they fall into debt.