Hulhumalé, Maldives – Around 1,800 Indian workers engaged in the construction of housing units in the second phase of Hulhumalé, Maldives, have been on strike for four days due to inadequate food quality and lack of sick leave.
All of the workers are Indian citizens and entered the country through the same agent, which led to a clash when the agent company employees visited the workers’ accommodation area to resolve the issue.
Witnesses claim that some individuals prevented the agent company employees from leaving and even tore off the fluorescent vests of the attending police officers.
The construction of the housing unit has been awarded to JMC PROJECTS (India). However, they are outsourcing some of the work. The employees who went on strike today said they should be held responsible by one such company. The company could not be reached for comment at this time.
Some employees who spoke to the local medias told that the workers should not be given sick leave and reduce their working hours from ten hours to eight hours.
The workers said that if their demands are not met within a month, the only option for the company is to send them back to India with one month’s salary.
Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract was signed between Fahi Dhiriulhun Corporation Limited and JMC Projects (India) Limited for the development of 2000 Social housing units at Hulhumale’ phase 2. The EPC contract was signed on 8th March 2021.
The project consists of 600 two-bedroom apartments units of 650 square feet and 1400 three-bedroom apartments of 900 square feet.
The total value for this project is 137 Million US Dollars and is planned to be financed via a loan from the Export Import Bank of India (EXIM Bank). The project is scheduled to be completed within 3 years and 1 month.
JMC Projects (India) is also the developer of Hanimaadhoo International Airport which is being developed as a main hub of the northern Maldives.
Government had previously stated that with the development of Hanimaadhoo International Airport, additional resorts, city hotels and guest houses would also benefit from the new airport.
