Author: Minivan News

Maldivian ship crew on strike claiming two years of unpaid wages

The Maldivian crew of the cargo ship Gateway Prestige have gone on strike, claiming to be owed Rf 1 million (US$64,800) for two years of unpaid salaries.

Managing Director of Gateway Shipping, Mohamed Shareef, told newspaper Haveeru that he had informed police his vessel had been hijacked by his crew and requested an investigation.

“They don’t want to leave the ship, or set off, or allow anyone else on the ship. How can they work on the ship if they were not paid for two years? They wouldn’t have stayed,” Shareef told Haveeru.

The newspaper spoke to the vessel’s captain, Ibrahim Zahir, who said that as of April 2011 he was owed Rf522,000, the chief engineer Rf400,000 and the helmsman Rf100,000. He said they had been stranded twice in an Indian port without food, but had decided to finally go on strike after they were ordered to sea again after unloading in Male’.

“We stayed on the ship despite not getting paid for two years because those who left their jobs didn’t get paid a single penny. Every time the owner says due to the current situation we can’t be paid, but that they’ll pay us when things settle down,” he told the newspaper.

Police are conducting negotiations.

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Elections Commission validates Thasmeen’s DRP leadership

The Elections Commission (EC) has reportedly ruled against claims by dismissed Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party’s (DRP) leader Umar Naseer that the appointment of the party’s leadership last year was invalid after it failed to submit official paperwork within a 15 day deadline.

Haveeru reported that the party’s leadership had been deemed valid by the EC after discussions with local legal experts, despite the DRP’s failure to comply with the Regulation of Political Parties and officially notify the commission of changes to its leadership.  The party was required to submit official documentation  and minutes of a congress held in February 2010 where Ahmed Thasmeen Ali was appointed as successor to Maumoon Abdul Gayoom as head of the DRP.

Earlier this month, EC Vice President Ahmed Hassan Fayaz told Minivan News that although he was aware of a clause in the party’s existing regulations relating to supplying official minutes to the commission, the EC did not have authority to strip a party leader of his position.

Fayaz claimed additionally that Thasmeen’s appointment at the congress, which was supported by Gayoom before he became openly critical of his successor earlier this year, had been witnessed by hundreds of party delegates as well as being covered by local media – ensuring that it was a well-documented decision.

According to Haveeru, Elections Commissioner Fuad Thaufeeq said this week that Thasmeen’s leadership of the DRP had been deemed valid following consultations with the Premier Chambers law firm.

The EC head was quoted in the report as deciding to accept official documents and minutes relating to the appointment of Thasmeen at last year’s DRP congress, despite the official 15 day deadline having long passed.

DRP MP Ahmed Nihan, supporter of the Z-DRP faction of the party that is critical of Thasmeen’s leadership, said earlier this month that he believed the deadline for submitting the leadership paperwork was not just an administrative error and had serious implications for the party.

Nihan, citing a SunFM report, claimed that under the EC’s own mandate, details and a recording of the national congress held by the party to approve its new leadership needed to be sent to the regulatory body within 15 days of the event being held.

The DRP MP claimed this still had not happened as of last month, representing a “clear breach” of party regulation by its leader.

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Sri Lanka to ban visa on arrivals for all except Singapore, Maldives

Sri Lanka will withdraw visa-on-arrival facilities in August for all visitors to the country except those from Singapore or the Maldives.

Foreigners wishing to visit Sri Lanka will be required to pay for a visa online, or visit a Sri Lankan mission.

A statement from the Sri Lankan government said tourists without internet access would need to apply for visas through private agencies.

The decision has raised concern in Sri Lanka’s booming tourism sector about the potential impact on arrivals.

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ADB head urges Maldives to focus on deficit

President of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Haruhiko Kuroda has said that while the Maldives’ climate change goals are commendable, the government should focus on improving fiscal management.

“ADB is pleased to support the Government’s reform measures to address the large fiscal deficit. Recently announced retirement incentives would reduce fiscal expenditure in future. Private sector development, especially promotion of micro- small- and medium-sized enterprises, will further support the Government by creating job opportunities, especially in the outer atolls,” he said.

During a two day visit to the Maldives last week, the ADB President made field trips to the ADB-assisted Malé Commercial Harbor and Malé North Harbor projects, and addressed students of Maldives National University during his visit.

The Maldives, which joined ADB in 1978, has received loans, grants and technical assistance of $196 million, which support infrastructure, capacity development and expansion of the private sector.

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Cabinet moves ahead with Nexbis border control deal despite ACC objections

The Maldivian cabinet has reportedly decided to move ahead with implementing a border control system designed by Malaysia-based Nexbis after overruling concerns raised by the Anti-Corruption Commission that halted the deal earlier in the year.

Press Secretary for the President Mohamed Zuhair told newspaper Haveeru today that after two weeks of discussions, the cabinet had decided to move ahead with the Nexbis agreement originally signed back in October 2010. Zuhair was unavailable for comment on the decision when contacted by Minivan News.

The Nexbis deal had been bought to a halt soon after being signed as the ACC ordered a halt on a contract between the Department of Immigration and the Malaysia based mobile security firm over claims that were instances where corruption may have occurred. The ACC order was upheld by President Mohamed Nasheed in January, who requested that the Department of Immigration and Emigration adhere to the ACC’s guidance until it rules over the next step for the project

The ACC’s claims were vehemently denied by Nexbis, which announced days later that it was consider taking legal action against unspecified parties in the country that it alleged had “wrought irreparable damage to [the company’s] reputation and brand name” alleging attempts to halt the deal were “politically motivated” in nature.

According to Haveeru, ACC Deputy Commissioner Muawwiz Rasheed claimed following the cabinet’s decision today that only a Maldivian court could invalidate the decision to halt the project – even one with the reported support of the country’s executive arm.

“It’s mandatory for the department to follow our orders. The investigation is ongoing,” he was quoted as saying in the paper.

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Yameen would support DRP’s Thasmeen in opposing government – media reports

People’s Alliance (PA) party leader Abdullah Yameen has told local media that he will cooperate with Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) leader Ahmed Thasmeen Ali, despite the fellow opposition head’s involvement in factional infighting with certain former political allies.

Thasmeen has been engaged in a war of words with some serving and former DRP members, who have formed a faction called the Z-DRP in support of Yameen’s half brother and former national President, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.

Newspaper Miadhu reported that Yameen has claimed he will nonetheless work together with Thasmeen on matters opposing the government, even with the DRP head engaged in a war of words with the Z-DRP.

The PA leader was reported as stating that he would work with any members of the DRP or Z-DRP to hold the government accountable for their actions

The Z-DRP faction is headed by serving DRP MPs like Ahmed Nihan and Ahmed Mahlouf, as well as the party’s dismissed Deputy Leader Umar Naseer and Gayoom.

Yaameen was unavailable for comment when contacted by Minivan News concerning the comments.

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Cabinet to establish Renewable Energy Investment Office

Cabinet has decided to establish a Renewable Energy Investment Office to reduce the country’s reliance on imported oil.

The office will assist the government to draw up investment plans and proposals for foreign aid to facilitate investments and support in alternative energy projects in the Maldives, said the President’s Office.

Ministers noted that realising the carbon neutrality goal was necessary for the Maldives to enhance energy security and reduce relying on imported oil for energy, as well as to set an example for the rest of the world in leading the way in combating climate change.

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SAARC drafting natural disaster rapid response mechanism at meeting in Male’

The Maldives government is currently hosting an inter-governmental expert group meeting with SAARC leaders to create a natural disaster rapid response mechanism for member nations.

The meeting is being held at Traders Hotel in Male’ May 25-26 with the intention of finalising the draft agreement.

“Once the agreement enters into force, it will enable Member States to cooperate and extend assistance to Member States of SAARC in the event of devastating natural disasters. This will include deployment of rapid response and experts, rescue and relief operations, medical assistance, etc,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

“Furthermore this agreement will create a channel for flow of relief material and medical supplies and equipment without bureaucratic hindrances.”

The Maldives is hosting the 17th SAARC Summit this year on November 10-11.

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