Africa-Press – Mauritius. The Mauritius Trade Union Congress (MTUC) recently organized a workshop at the Dagotière District Council Hall under the theme “Decent Work Agenda,” which brought together around 75 delegates from affiliated unions. Among those attending were the Minister of Labour, Reza Uteem, and Deputy Chief Whip Pynivel Venkatasami. In his address, MTUC Secretary-General Adeel Moniaruch emphasized the need to grant immunity to union leaders, noting that they often deal with uncooperative employers, leading to conflict in the workplace. He also advocated for official passes for credible union representatives to freely access workplaces while conducting union duties.
MTUC President Dewan Quedou explained that a delegation had a fruitful discussion with the Labour Minister regarding key labour issues. Some of their proposals have already been implemented, including ensuring representation for both genders and youth on boards and commissions. The MTUC also voiced support for the establishment of a “Parastatal Bodies Service Commission,” intended to regulate employment conditions within public bodies. Quedou highlighted that the Labour Relations Act fails to clearly define confederations’ roles, calling for well-defined and recognized functions to strengthen collective bargaining structures.
Quedou further called for the reactivation of the Central Council of Trade Unions, stressing that it once played an important coordinating role, as recommended by the International Labour Organization (ILO). He lamented that internal rivalries and personal egos have hindered its functioning. The president also raised concerns over the exploitation of foreign workers in Mauritius, who are often used to replace local workers unwilling to fill low-paying jobs. While foreign labour remains necessary, the MTUC insists that migrant workers should return home after their contracts to prevent socio-economic and adaptation issues in the small island nation.
The Congress also expressed dissatisfaction with the administration of the Trade Union Trust Fund (TUTF), arguing that grants were allocated unevenly and without proper consultation. Quedou requested a reform of the TUTF’s governance structure to ensure transparency and fair representation of all federations and confederations. Furthermore, the MTUC has repeatedly requested land from the government to build a central headquarters for workers—a place for seminars, training sessions, and discussions on labour-related issues—but such requests have been denied despite similar allocations to other organizations.
Minister Reza Uteem acknowledged the MTUC’s concerns, assuring that some points would be discussed further while others require more time. He clarified historical reasons why foreign workers were once permitted to vote under colonial-era laws and expressed openness to including qualified unionists on the boards of public institutions to enhance transparency. The event concluded with the distribution of awards to prominent unionists for their contributions, as well as an announcement of an upcoming workshop on “Gender and Development” aimed at women trade unionists and NGO leaders.
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