Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company (MIFCO) on Sunday began issuing pending payments amounting to MVR 17,350,903.

MIFCO said the MVR 17.35 million is the amount owed to fishermen from August 24 to September 25.

"With the assistance of the government, the money will be deposited to the fishermen today," MIFCO said.

There have been protests in some islands due to the delays in paying fishermen for the fish purchased by MIFCO.

The government had earlier pledged to pay fishermen within 48 hours of selling the fish to MIFCO.

However, Fisheries Minister Ahmed Shiyam later said that it would take two years to fulfil the pledge due to the financial situation of MIFCO.

The government has also promised to pay fishermen within two weeks of selling the catch to MIFCO. But the payment this time is one month late.