Haa Alif Maarandhoo Island Council has alleged that the dismissal of 13 employees from the Fenaka Corporation office without prior notice was a targeted move to suppress opposition political views.
In a statement released yesterday, the council condemned the terminations, describing the action as a "cowardly act."
The council characterised it as "uncivilised" to leave families in distress by dismissing numerous lower-level staff in the name of corporate restructuring, while simultaneously appointing individuals to high-level political positions.
"While this council views these as cruel measures taken to politically weaken and subjugate the people, we call upon all relevant authorities to ensure justice for the dismissed employees," the statement added.
In addition to Maarandhoo, employees of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) across the Maldives are reportedly being terminated from their positions.
The companies have cited a circular issued by the Privatization and Corporatization Board (PCB) as the reason for these dismissals. In April, the PCB directed SOEs to reduce their workforce by 33 percent. Many have alleged that this directive followed the government's poor performance in the local council elections and the referendum.
Following that directive, the PCB issued another circular on June 18, instructing SOEs to complete the 33 percent staff reduction within three months. The circular mandated that the process begin on July 13 and be finalized within three months, setting a deadline for October.
