After a gathering to discuss concerns, Trans Maldivian Airways pilots and staff planned a strike on July 26 in protest against the payment of a portion of their salaries in local currency. Citing new forex rules that require mandatory exchange of US dollar revenue, TMA decided to pay 20 percent of wages in Rufiyaa starting in July. But pilots are demanding that the airline continues to pay 100 percent in US dollars. As TMA employs more than 200 pilots and controls an estimated 80 percent of seaplane operations, transferring tourists to more than 80 resorts, a pilot strike would cause severe disruptions and leave hundreds of tourists stranded.
The Fahi Dhiriulhun Corporation started the process of signing agreements to hand over 4,000 flats allocated under the previous government's social housing scheme. The housing ministry reversed a previous decision to retroactively disqualify recipients whose spouses own land.
Strong winds felled trees in Malé and Hulhumalé on Friday morning. A large tree at the Central Park was uprooted as wind gusts reached up to 52 miles per hour. The city council deployed workers to clear up the damage as firefighters pumped out floodwaters. The MNDF urged the public to avoid non-essential travel.
A policewoman was arrested with drugs. Aishath Shiyaza, 31, was taken into custody with Saifullah Ahmed, 26, with a controlled prescription pill and three rubber packets with illicit narcotics.
The government is seeking to borrow MVR 7 billion (US$ 453 million) from India to finance infrastructure development ahead of next year's council elections, Adhadhu reported.
Two men aged 23 and 55 were arrested on Saturday night for forcing a man to transfer MVR 200 at knifepoint. The suspects resisted arrest and assaulted police officers who found them, police told the media. Both suspects and a police officer sustained injuries during the altercation.
The Thinadhoo City Council was owed nearly MVR 30 million as unpaid rent for plots leased for industrial purposes. The council disclosed details of the defaulters and unpaid amounts in a public announcement.
