Professional Documents
Culture Documents
(SEF/IUF)
Memorandum to Government
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The Confederation of Free Trade Union is hereby submitting its proposals for consideration in the
In spite of several measures which the present Government has introduced over past budgets
like National Minimum Wage, Negative Income Tax, Free Education for Students attending
University and other measures for the vulnerable group, we have been witnessing an erosion of
values and growing numbers of cases of violence, theft, crimes which do not augur well for the
future of Mauritius as a safe and sound country for Mauritians as well as for Tourists and
Investors.
The Confederation deems that there is an urgent need to lay a lot of emphasis on social justice
as a foundation for Sustainable Development and Decent Work as well as lasting Peace and
Security.
The Ministry of Economic Planning & Development should be reinstated as a total separate entity
with the objective of advising Government on long- and medium-term planning on the economic,
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In the same manner as Vision 2020 was developed which took an inclusive approach involving all
actors including civil society organisations. International experience has shown that social
dialogue improves the design of policy measures, it contributes to their effective implementation
The introduction of the National Minimum Wage since January 2018 is a vivid example where
social dialogue has proved to be a success. The economic development of the country does not
go in pair with the social upliftment of the people which should not also be to the detriment of
the environment.
It is appreciated that several social protection measures have been introduced with a view to
reduce inequality and protect the vulnerable groups of society such as for the casting of slabs,
etc.
However, workers in the middle-income group who do not benefit from the special schemes
put up by government are the ones who are the most affected when it comes to
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We appreciate the Government’s decision in the last budget to decrease the Income Tax rate
We are requesting, in line with the declared policy of the government to bring social justice to
(ii) That a three tax band at the rate of 5%, 10% and 15% be introduced:
taxed at 5%
(iii) Deduction to be allowed for unemployed youth who are under the responsibilities of
their parents.
3. Adjustment of Salaries
We are requesting Government to earmark the necessary amount of money to ensure the
the National Minimum Wage Consultative Council Act that stipulates that the Pay research
Bureau should ‘ come with administrative measures to implement the National Minimum
Wage and make any salary adjustment ,where necessary, to address any problem of relativity
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distortion that may arise on the introduction of the National Minimum Wage in the public
sector”
We note with regret that the recommendations of PRB with respect to training and staff
development in the whole of the public service has not been respected by Ministries,
Departments as well other organizations falling under the PRB. We are therefore proposing the
The postholder will be responsible for preparing the Training Needs Analysis of the said
organization, preparing the workplan for all the employees and ensuring the effectiveness of
the said training in the best interest of both the internal as well as the external customers.
Though we have to admit that foreign workers have played an important part in the development
of the country yet it is important to have checks and balances on the inflow of foreigners in the
country for many reasons. It is imperative that, before it is too late, a study be conducted on
the situation of Foreign Workers in Mauritius. Students are currently seen working in bakeries,
restaurants, hotels, petrol stations and supermarkets. The import of Foreign Labour should be
complementary but should in no way be a passport to replace local workers. It is felt that
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import of foreign labour opens the door for many abuses by some employers for many
reasons one being to avoid paying the National Minimum Wage. For workers found illegally
in Mauritius employers who have recruited them should be held responsible too. In some cases,
it has been discovered that some foreigners are even indulging in illicit activities. The need to
conduct a study on the whole situation of Foreign Workers in Mauritius is therefore deeply felt.
As a means to promote effective social dialogue and to ensure fruitful discussions it is vital for
trade unions to be provided with necessary facilities so that they can be placed on a level playing
(i) Trade unions should be given full duty exemption instead of 85% duty remission
(ii) Trade union should be exempted from the payment of Registration Duty as is the
Duty exemption should be given on building materials to trade unions for the building/
renovation of their offices and the setting up of their training /recreational centres. The
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Confederation is requesting that full duty exemption be given to trade unions on purchase of
8. Creation of Posts
While recognizing that several posts have been filled in the civil service yet we have seen that
there is an acute shortage of staff in several sectors namely among the Non- Teaching Staff,
9. Assise du Social
We are witnessing a growing number of accidents and cases of violence even extreme ones.
There is also an erosion of values which has become a serious threat to peace and stability.
Instead of dealing with the scourge of society in a piece meal manner it is imperative to envisage
du Social” to be an inclusive one involving all sectors i. e government, private sector, civil
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10. Staff Welfare
The item voted on Staff Welfare is either being wrongly or not utilized at all. There is a need
to review this scheme to ensure it is serving its purpose. Trade unions should be involved in the
The introduction of a Public Service Bill is a commitment of this Government as mentioned in the
prerogatives and respective powers of the administrative arm, on the one side, and the political
arm, on the other. For the sake of good governance, transparency and accountability, we are
An Ombudsperson for Public Service should also be appointed to deal with defaulters be it
Legislation should be passed to provide for the mandatory declaration of assets for MPs and
12. Water
Provision to be made in the Budget to replace pipes. Aggressive sensitization campaign should
also be launched for a judicious use of water. Essential resources and services remain a common
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right in the context of the SOCIAL CONTRACT. Provision and management of those services and
resources should NEVER be privatized. They should remain accessible to all and this can only be
Privatisation of services has always proved costlier to the public. Promotion of Quality Public
Service is the only guarantee for sound economic, social and sustainable development. The
The formula for calculating of pensions of public officers should be improved. Public officers
going on retirement after completing 33 1/3 years of service should be entitled for a reduced
pension amounting to at least 2/3 of their last monthly salary and a lump sum of 30 months’
Public officers who have been found guilty in court should not be penalized thrice. We are
therefore requesting that the Pension Act be amended so that a Public Officer does not lose his
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14. Refund of Leaves --- Non taxable
Refund of sick leave and vacation leaves should be tax free. Maternity leave should be extended
We request an adjustment of old age pension to the National Minimum Wage and that
We are therefore requesting that Government ratify ILO Convention 151 “Protection of the Right
to organize and procedures for determining Conditions of Employment in the Public Service”.
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17. Reforms of the Public Service Commission
For a real transformation of the public service which will respond to the needs of the population
irrespective of status there is an urgent need to bring reforms to the PSC. It should stop
delegating its powers to Ministries and Departments for recruitment and promotion.
service like Psychologists, Sociologists etc. The appointment should be subject to consultation
In the Public Sector internal selection or promotion shall not only be based on interviews only. A
considered as well when recruited for better outcome/results. Other reform initiatives are
necessary for the PSC to become accountable and transparent. All interviews carried out for a
18. Rodrigues
Necessary provisions need to be provided to the RRA to allow Rodrigues to take off and not to
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19. Amendment to the PBAT Act
The Public Bodies Appeal Tribunal should be given more powers, resources and means to
It should also be empowered to deal with recruitment in the Public Service and all promotions
and recruitments under the Disciplined Forces Service Commission and also for all promotions
We have mentioned earlier the need for allowing deductions from income tax in respect of
Unemployed youth. There are, however, young unemployed people who are parentless or whose
parents are already below the taxable threshold. For those, we are of the view that they should
be paid an allowance during periods of unemployment, as this will allow them some financial
independence.
The Government Programme States clearly at para. 32 that the “labour legislation will be
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We believe that it is high time that the Employment Rights Act and the Employment Relations
Climate change is a major challenge. The following are measures that can help in mitigating its
impact at the level of individual households. Acting locally while thinking globally:
Purchase of solar heaters and rain water harvesting equipment should be fully subsidized.
The distribution of compost bins should be further extended to reach the largest number
The tri des dechets can further be enhanced by the setting up of selective collection of
It has been observed that the Occupational Safety Act is not being complied with by many
Ministries and Departments in terms of basic amenities and protective equipment. The report of
the Safety and Health Officers should be submitted to the trade unions representing the
employees concerned and prompt remedial actions taken by management failing which the
home.
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