Labour Ministry - A Criminal Organization

Ever heard of a regulating body having countless rules and regulations levying ridiculous fine for each broken rule ? Let me put this in context with the heading:

• I am talking about Ministry of Higher Education, Employment and Social Security.
• They don't have all the different rules on paper which they levy penalties, or fines on.
• There is no official who can officially explain these rules in the ministry.
• Fines incurred on delayed payments or processes cannot be waived even if the delays were caused by the inefficiency of the staff or the systems at the ministry.
• The total focus of this important Ministry is on the fines rather than the regulatory functions of the Ministry
  
• Small businesses without connections within the Ministry will get harassed, the staff at the ministry will mislead them which sometimes end up in huge astronomical fines.
  
• If you try to bring your complaints to the senior (directors) people, either they will not meet you or before you go the lower bunch will call their bosses for them to get prepared.

SOLUTION : BRIBE IF YOU CAN OR GET LOST

THE MUCH NEEDED VOICE FOR SMALL TO MEDIUM ENTERPRISES OF MALDIVES

This blog is to start a focal point for small to medium enterprises to get organized as an association which can act as the official voice of these businesses. There are a few organizations of this nature like MTA, MATI.etc which acts totally in the interest of larger business organizations. Therfore it's imperative to form an association (non-political) which will give the voice for the small to medium businesses which is needed so badly at this point. This blog is the first step of action after numerous discussions which I had with lots of my peers and friends who belong to this bracket in the Maldive business community. Whenever we had a discussion, a coffee or a little chat the following topics are touched proving the frustrations.
Almost everyday we see new offices or shops springing up in every corner of Male' and islands with enthusiastic and ambitous young enetrprenures and we have no doubt that with a focal point we can achive a lot together.

The proposed association will deal with issues like:

1. While small to medium enterprises are the bread and butter of BML why do they give bigger facilities to larger businesses at the expense of the small to meduim enterprises.
2. Why don't we (small to medium enterprises) benefit from foriegn development & aid loans.
3. If we don't own land in Male' or a house in Male' or a resort and if we are not in a business which deals with "acceptable" security how do we get collateral as bank securities.
4. If we can't afford to bribe some officials we come under a competitive disadvantage with the Big businesses. How do we deal with this.

& so many issues. Start bloggin & the rest will come out.

Thanks,

BIG FISH EAT THE SMALL BML

1. Big businesses can afford to pay duty and more importantly have CONNECTIONS
2. They didn't have to pay duty when they made their resorts. Don't talk about now because they can afford now!! plus connections
3. Big businesses can get loans, ODs and other facilities because they can mortgage "bandara" land.
4. They don't put their money in Dhoni Bank
5. When their exposure gets too high at the foreign banks, Dhoni Bank is the backup
6. MOST IMPORTANTLY They don't pay back their dues at Dhoni Bank
7. DHONI BANK is giving your money to them after refusing you
8. Think about it......

DO YOU GET HARASSED OR DISCRIMINATED FOR NOT BRIBING?

It's a complaint that we hear all the time. Bribery has gone to the extent that many people don't even call it bribery. The name is CONNECTIONS..if you don't have it in the related area you are doomed. In thois blog we will try and bring out the CONNECTIONS for everyone to see, so you won't have to struggle finding one. Certainly you will need the many to get connected. If you can afford it go for it...or do yourself and everyone a favour by bringing incidences where you were discriminated or harassed..

IFC of World Bank on the development of Small to Medium enterprises (SME) http://www.sedf.org/in_country.php?sub_id=5

In FY05, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) approved the establishment of the Sri Lanka-Maldives Enterprise Development Program (the “SEDF-Sri Lanka/Maldives” or “Program”), a US$10[1] million, five-year, multi-donor, technical assistance program for SME development in Sri Lanka and the Maldives. The Program will operate under the overall umbrella of the existing Bangladesh based SouthAsia Enterprise Development Facility (SEDF) established in 2002.

The Program will be a two prong program focused on increasing Access to Finance (ATF) for SMEs and providing Value Addition to Firms (VAF) while creating sector-specific opportunities for SME growth, including linkages to larger enterprises. The Program will also aim to improve the business environment for SMEs as a cross-cutting component of the ATF and VAF programs. These will contribute to broader-based economic growth, and hence to sustainable poverty reduction in Sri Lanka and the Maldives