Eleven employees at the Fenaka Corporation branch in Alif Dhaal Mahibadhoo have been dismissed following the transfer of operations to STELCO.
The terminations occurred after staff were reportedly assured they would be retained and issued new contracts. A former employee said staff were pressured to join the ruling People's National Congress shortly before the dismissals.
Of the branch's 26 employees, 15 were transferred to STELCO. The 11 who were terminated included long-serving staff, many reportedly affiliated with the opposition. The dismissals were carried out under Fenaka's redundancy policy.
The Mahibadhoo Island Council expressed concern, warning of socio-economic hardship for the affected families. The council called on authorities to follow the Employment Act and reinstate the workers.
Former Vice President Faisal Naseem stated that terminations during restructuring must respect statutory rights and that political affiliation should not be a basis for dismissal.
Fenaka has been transferring branch operations to STELCO in several locations as part of broader utility restructuring. Similar abrupt dismissals have been reported on other islands in recent months.