Can make demands, but will not allow staffs to strike and stop working: Junaid
MPL’s CEO, Muhammad Junaid have said that the staffs of MPL will always have the right to make requests and demands based on their needs, but he will not allow them to strike and stop working.
He said this during a meeting held with MPL Kulhudhuhfushi staffs yesterday. He said that he knows that the salary of the staffs is not that high but it is not acceptable to make demands and stop working on the same day.
“Kulhudhuhfushi Port is running at a loss. Still we are finding ways to increase the salaries. A 22 room guest house is being built. Also a restaurant will be opened. We are also trying to build some
warehouses in this area so that it can be rented out. Also a slipway and a workshop will be built. In addition, we will bring a landing craft as well to transport containers from Male’ “said Junaid.
He said that MPL will carry out these programs which were planned to increase the revenue of MPL Kulhudhuhfushi port.
He said that changes to salaries will be brought later and he will not give a date because he does not want to make any changes based on demands made through strikes.
“This time it was done here. Tomorrow it will be done in Addu. The next day it will be Male’. After taking this as an example. All government companies might start doing it. This is not acceptable. That is why I will not accept these types of tactics” said Junaid.
In similar situations in the past, heads of companies and institutions always try to solve the problems through others. However, Junaid became the first CEO to have solved problems by directly getting involved.
Even though, the staffs of MPL Kulhdhuhfushi were not aware, this was actually planned by some politicians, to pressure the government. Some even planned to light up Junaid’s hair when he arrived at Kulhudhuhfushi. Some text messages were passed asking to “treat him the way Ahmed Abdullah was treated”.
Speaking to Miadhu a staff of Kulhudhuhfushi port said that some people called them on Thursday night and asked them to started protesting.
Junaid said that if staffs protested and prevented Junaid’s team from coming to the island, he would leave after closing the port. “The place is running at a loss. When it is closed, it will actually be good for the company” said Junaid.
Some businesses in Kulhudhuhfushi imports goods directly from India via the port and they are able to sell many items to the islanders at cheaper rates than Male’.
Junaid said that there were discussions held to close down Addu and Kulhudhuhfushi port since they are running at a loss, but they decided not to do it because a lot of families will be affected due to that. He said that President Yameen wants, to increase the revenues of these ports and give more jobs to the people from these ports.
