MACL accused of employing people who don’t do any actual work; President says he hasn’t received such a list

MACL’s CEO Ibrahim Shareef Mohamed (R) with President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu (L). (Photo/MACL)

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu provided a “lukewarm” response on Monday, to allegations that the Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) employs dozens of individuals who don’t report to work or do any actual work, but collect large salaries.

An 85-person list, allegedly of such individuals employed by the MACL, leaked over social media earlier this month. The list drew widespread criticism against the government.

President Muizzu was questioned about this as he met reporters for his weekly press briefing on Monday morning.

But he initially refused to directly answer when asked about the list, responding that the government was working on reforming state-owned enterprises.

“Not just MACL. The Finance Ministry has now instructed the PCB to reduce employees in all SOEs in general,” he said.

President Muizzu said that the government has now instructed all SOEs to implement reforms based on performance, attentiveness to work, attendance, and other such factors.

He was referring to the orders sent by the Finance Ministry on Friday, instructing PCB to ensure SOEs reduce employees by 33 percent.

“I believe this will involve a lot of reforms, a lot of good changes,” he said.

President Muizzu avoided saying whether the list was authentic or not.

“No, no such list has come to me,” responded President Muizzu, when pressed again if the MACL employs individuals who do not do any work, but are paid monthly.

He said that all SOEs in general have been told to implement reforms and reduce employees.

The list of 85 people, purportedly of political appointees employed by MACL who President Muizzu intends to fire, was leaked via anonymous X account ‘Hassan Kurusee’ on April 10. It includes influential figures, including former parliamentarians.

The MACL has not made any official comment regarding the list.

However, senior MACL employees, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirm some of the people on the list are on the company’s payroll.