Call for increase in monthly allowance to Rs1,500 for Mauritian employees

The budgetary measure to allocate a monthly allowance of Rs1,000 to 350,000 Mauritian employees – through the Mauritius Revenue Authority  and to compensate for the loss of purchasing power – is set to end next month.

However, the President of the Association for the Protection of the Environment and Consumers (APEC), Suttyhudeo Tengur, has called not for this allowance to be extended, but also to be increased – to at least Rs 1,500.

Jayen Chellum, Secretary General of the Consumers Association of Mauritius (ACIM), argued that despite the compensation, consumers are still unable to cope with the loss of purchasing power and that a government allowance provides relief.

He also called for an extension of the measure. However, he suggests that the amount should be revised according to income: “Those at the bottom of the scale receiving at least Rs 1,500 per month, while those earning Rs 50,000 per month could receive a monthly allowance of Rs 500.”

The Confederation of Public and Private Sector Workers (CTSP) is supported the call to increase the allowance to at least Rs 1,500.

Spokesperson Jane Ragoo said large companies should be taxed more, while Chellum said that with the high prices of fuels and the increase in electricity tariffs, the government has ample means to extend the measure.

An unidentified source at the Ministry of Finance was cited as telling Defi Media that “consultations for a possible extension are ongoing with stakeholders” and a decision will only be made after the presentation of the next Budget.

Source: Defi Media