MDP threatens against approving cabinet if dismissal of employees continues

Parliament’s majority party, Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has threatened against granting approval to the current administration’s cabinet if employees of Fenaka Corporation, the state-owned enterprise that hired the greatest number of employees during MDP’s administration, continue to be dismissed.

MDP submitted an emergency motion at Tuesday’s parliamentary sitting, condemning the dismissal of Fenaka employees based across the Maldives undertaking various services by the current administration at the instructions of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.

The emergency motion, submitted by Central Fuvahmulah MP Hussain, called on the administration to halt the dismissals.

Debating on the emergency motion, Bilehdhoo MP Ahmed Haleem said the dismissal of the employees was completely unacceptable. Noting that he did not wish to withhold approval for the cabinet, MP Haleem said he will be forced to withhold approval if the dismissal of employees from state-owned companies continues.

Tuesday’s emergency motion called on the current administration to halt the dismissals, calling them unjust.

Members representing other political parties slammed the emergency motion.

Mahibadhoo MP Ahmed Thoriq (Tom), who represents the government, noting that the “dismissed” employees are hired on a contract basis for specific purposes such as the development of powerhouses, explained that their contractual obligations will conclude once the specific project is complete.  

During the debate, North Maafannu MP Imthiyaz Fahumy who represents The Democrats, alleged that the jobs in Fenaka have been created for political purposes, to “buy” the families of the employees and to secure votes. He added that the downturns of this are now being experienced by those families.