President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has stated that the government is prioritising the payment of millions of Rufiyaa owed to fishermen to protect the nation's economic lifeline.
He made these remarks in his address on the occasion of International Workers' Day.
In his address, the President noted that one of the biggest concerns upon assuming office was the state's failure to pay money owed to numerous working companies and individuals. He highlighted that due to the debt of over 9,000 million in work bills owed by state-owned enterprises to private parties, and thousands of millions of Rufiyaa in similar debts owed by various ministries and offices, many private working companies were unable to pay their employees' salaries or meet operational expenses, plunging the nation's economy into a deep abyss.
"The government is giving the highest priority to paying off the large debt owed to private working companies and individuals as state revenue allows. Paying the millions of Rufiyaa owed to fishermen by the government, to protect the nation's economic lifeline," the President stated.
The President said that economic activities currently underway in the Maldives will be expanded, and new types of work will be initiated. He also stated that great priority will be given to making new investments during this 5-year term.
"Expanding tourism, increasing fishing and agriculture, introducing things like transshipment services, and strengthening transport services will create more jobs and increase income," the President stated.
Concluding his address today, the President said that with the government's hopeful efforts, there is a bright future for Maldivian workers. He also stated that many opportunities for prosperity will be facilitated for workers.
"With these hopeful efforts of the government, God willing, there is a bright future for Maldivian workers. Many opportunities for prosperity. My hope and resolve is, with the grace and will of Almighty Allah, to secure a self-sufficient, affluent, and prosperous life for every Maldivian worker within these 5 years," the President said.
In his address, the President sent greetings for International Workers' Day to all locals and expatriates working in various sectors beneficial to the Maldivian nation, both in the Maldives and abroad.
