The 170-year-old Mauritius Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), one of the oldest institutions in the country defending the private sector, is subject of serious accusations.
In what has been described by Le Mauricien newspaper as a “fiery note currently in circulation”, the current management team is reportedly being urged to “clear the floor” in anticipation of the next general meeting “in order to avoid any embarrassment.”
The dissidents behind the letter, according to the newspaper, include seasoned members of the organisation.
“As dedicated members of the MCCI, we can no longer pretend to ignore the disastrous situation prevailing at the MCCI, which has been left in the hands of a little group of sycophants, opportunists, incompetent and self-serving individuals,” it cited the letter as alleging.
These dissidents have reportedly attacked the president “head-on” over Networking Events. “The members of the Chamber are expected to act decently and with integrity”, they argued.
They are also of the opinion that the president and the members of the management team have allegedly failed in their mission to “uphold the reputation and credibility of the organization”.
Le Mauricien quoted the letter as putting the following questions to the President of the MCCI:
- Can he reveal the reason why the Secretary General who has been provisionally charged by the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), has not been ordered to step down, until the matter is resolved?
- Can he explain why the MCCI report on the state of the economy is no longer published?
- Is the president taking orders from a minister and his advisers who are influencing recruitment of new staff members and even promotions?
- Has the Board violated the basic rules of meritocracy and transparency to create ‘Manager’ positions reserved for protected persons without any other recruitment process?
- Can the President provide a list of recruitments over the past two years and the number of resignations due to “the arrogant and despicable attitude of the so-called Management Team”?
- The amount of compensation paid by the Chamber to employees for unjustified dismissals?
- Can he give the guarantee that the premises of the MCCI have not transformed into a meeting place for Happy Hour by some?
Pending answers and clarifications, the newspaper said the dissident group of MCCI members intend to come forward with several resolutions to be adopted at the next general assembly, namely:
- The recruitment of a full-fledged General Secretary following an Independent and professional selection process, with a proper background check;
- That the mandate of the President of the Chamber be reduced to one year only, and without the possibility of interfering in the administration; and
- That the Chamber gets rid of the practice of Past Presidents.
