A protest staged by fishermen at the Addu Fisheries Complex in Hulhumeedhoo ended after 10 days yesterday as the government-owned Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company (MIFCO) started clearing outstanding payments owed for fish catch.
Crew from 15 fishing boats started the protest over delays in settling payments and the failure to fulfil the government's fisheries pledges.
Fishermen from the boats that joined the protest have now left the site. The protesting fishermen had halted operations at the Addu Fisheries Complex.
During the protest, MIFCO warned that fish purchases would be suspended for three months from boats that obstruct police duties and the efforts of factory workers to resume operations. However, none of the boats were blacklisted.
On Monday, the government started depositing payments for the MVR 53 million owed as of last Thursday for fish catch weighed by MIFCO.
The government previously pledged that MIFCO would settle payments to fishing boats within 48 hours. However, the government's aim now is to make payments within two weeks.
