Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Resources Ahmed Shiyam has stated that fishermen have received USD1.9 million in outstanding payments last week alone.
Speaking to PSM News, Minister Shiyam said that Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company Limited (MIFCO) had not paid fishermen for two months prior to the new administration assuming office. As such, he affirmed that the government is actively engaged in resolving the issue promptly to ensure that fishermen receive overdue payments without further delay.
Additionally, Minister Shiyam noted that MIFCO raised the purchase price of fish to USD1.6 per kilogram on September 16, marking a significant increase from the previous rate of USD1.1 per kilogram. He attributed the delay in payments to fishermen to the price hike implemented by the previous government, adding that it has posed substantial challenges for private companies operating in the fishing industry.
Furthermore, Minister Shiyam said that the fishermen advocate for a fish price that does not impose a burden on the state. He underscored the hardships faced by fishermen due to not receiving payment after the increased price of fish. He also clarified that the government currently has no intentions to decrease the price of fish to less than USD1.3 per kilogram.