Porters end strike after doubling fees
Porters at the Malé commercial harbour returned to work Monday night after staging a strike in protest against changes to working hours forced by new merchandise transport rules.
03 Apr 2018, 9:00 AM
Porters at the Malé commercial harbour returned to work Monday night after staging a strike in protest against changes to working hours forced by new merchandise transport rules.
The state-owned Maldives Ports Limited changed cargo clearance hours to start at 6 pm after a day-time ban on transporting and unloading goods came into effect on Sunday, prompting complaints from porters about having to work night shifts.
The porters resumed work after doubling their fees, Raajje TV reported. Charges have been hiked from MVR2,500 (US$160) to MVR6,000 (US$390) for clearing out a 20-foot container and from MVR5,000 (US$325) to MVR12,000 (US$780) for 40-foot containers.
Retailers are likely to pass on the higher cost to consumers. But in a statement Tuesday, the economic development ministry threatened to take action against businesses that hike prices due to the new rules.
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