The Maldives: Development and Soci‑Economic Tensions

Sathiendrakumar, R. and Tisdell, C.A. (1988) The Maldives: Development and Soci‑Economic Tensions. The South East Asian Economic Review, 9 (2). pp. 122-162.

Abstract

The most important industry in the Maldives is the fishing industry. Based predominantly on artisanal fishing, it employs 45% of the labour force. In recent years, considerable technological change has occurred in the artisanal tuna fishing industry in the Maldives. Government policies have encouraged the replacement of sail-powered boats (masdonis) by motorized boats. As a result, demand for labour in the fishing industry has declined in fishing villages, fishermen have been displaced and real incomes of fishermen have fallen. A possible response to such changed economic fortunes is migration of labour or movement of labour to jobs elsewhere in the economy. This paper considers this response in the context of Maldivian society.