Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company (MIFCO) purchases fish from fishermen on credit. There is no system in place to pay for the fish immediately upon purchase. Due to the increase in MIFCO's credit and subsequent protests by fishermen, payments to vessels have recently been made on a two-week basis. However, even the two-week payments cannot be made on the exact day. The reason cited is the cash flow issues of the company and the government.
The last payment for a two-week period was made on the 3rd of this month. On that day, 7 million Rufiyaa was paid for 445 metric tonnes of fish sold between August 9 and 23 (15 days). That two-week payment was also made 10 days later than the stated period.
After making the payment that day, MIFCO stated that details on how the payment for the period of August 24 to September 6 (2 weeks) would be made would be known on Monday, September 9. They also said that once that period (two weeks) expired, the money would be deposited to the vessel owners as soon as possible. However, that week ended with no news. Following that, another two weeks (September 7 - September 20) were added.
Fishermen and captains are very angry about this issue. While many fishing families are deprived of basic necessities, many fishing vessels are unable to go fishing because they cannot arrange food for the crew and have no way to get ice and fuel. Fishermen are expressing their displeasure on various platforms, criticizing the government, MIFCO, and Fisheries Minister Ahmed Shiyam. Most recently, today, a team from the Fisheries Ministry that went to GA. Dhaandhoo was stopped by fishermen and prevented from entering the island.
Regarding the payment of fishermen's credit, MIFCO stated tonight that the credit for fishing vessels from August 24 to yesterday has reached 17 million Rufiyaa. Furthermore, MIFCO and relevant ministries are jointly discussing and finding ways to pay the fishermen's credit.
"The government is continuously assisting MIFCO in paying the fishermen. Since the beginning of this month, discussions have been held between the Fisheries Ministry, the Finance Ministry, and this company regarding the pending bills of fishing vessels, and some solutions have been found for now," MIFCO said.
However, MIFCO does not know how or when the 4 weeks of pending debt will be paid. MIFCO stated that they have received information that the government's target is to completely pay off this money by the end of next week. MIFCO also said they will share more information as it becomes available.
Fishermen said it is difficult to believe the dates given by the government now. This is because the actions of MIFCO, the Fisheries Ministry, and the government do not match their words.
"Shiyam (Fisheries Minister) is lying. Muizzu (President) is lying. There is no hope that the money will be received on the stated day. We will only know what to say when the money is in our hands," a captain said.
Because MIFCO is delaying payments, fishermen are in great despair. Fishermen now believe that every time payment is delayed for a long time, they have to protest or "pressure" the government in other ways. This is because every time, the government and MIFCO only say something about the fishermen's debt when it reaches such a situation.
"When it comes to fishermen, the government has no money to give. Nothing will happen unless we come out." This is now the common saying among fishermen.
