Pre-Budget Consultations - Bad Weather Allowance: Fishermen's Association Demands Rs 1,200

The pre-budget consultations resumed on Monday, May 4th. Following an initial round of discussions with the private sector last Saturday, Junior Minister of Finance Dhaneshwar Damry met this morning with representatives from the Fishermen's Association. They unanimously demand a revision of the Bad Weather Allowance to Rs 1,200, up from the current Rs 800, which they consider inadequate.

"The amount of Rs 800 for the Bad Weather Allowance is insufficient. We are asking for it to be increased to at least Rs 1,200," stated a representative from a fishing cooperative in the eastern region of the island. Another request made was for a subsidy on diesel for semi-industrial fishing boats.

A representative from the Fishermen's Association of Roches-Noires also called for training for sector stakeholders. You can find their other requests in the attached video.