Mauritian Workers’ Rights Under Threat, Warn Trade Unionists & Protesters

Hundreds of workers and trade unionists marched through the streets of Port-Louis on Saturday to protest against the government’s plan to recruit foreign workers on a massive scale. The measure was announced in the 2024-25 budget presentation on June 7.

The General Workers Federation (GWF) and various trade unions, including those from the private sector, joined forces to voice their opposition to the plan.

The unions are concerned that the recruitment of up to 100% foreign workers in certain sectors will lead to the exploitation of these workers and undermine the rights of Mauritian workers.

“We will not allow Mauritius to become a playground for foreigners,” warned Ashok Subron, Secretary-General of the GWF. “We will ensure that the rights of these foreign workers are respected.”

Subron also demanded that the government freeze the opening of the labor market and revise the measure after the general elections, allowing for a debate on migration policy.

He also called for maintaining the current quota for foreign workers based on the number of Mauritian employees.

The GWF leader urged the establishment of a national employment agency to ensure that recruitment is done according to demand.

He also stressed that Mauritian workers must be protected from being replaced by foreigners.

Several opposition parliamentarians, including Joanna Bérenger, participated in the march, demanding that the Finance Bill measures not be passed as is, particularly those facilitating the recruitment of foreign workers.

Naraindranath Gopee, another parliamentarian, joined the march in solidarity, citing that the measures go against the interests of workers.

Rajen Narsinghen, a trade unionist, described the proposed laws as “ridiculous” and warned that they would “crush” both foreign workers and be discriminatory towards Mauritian employees, some of whom would prefer to emigrate.

The protesters chanted slogans such as “Nou pa le ankor dominer lor later Moris” (“We will not allow further abuse in Mauritius Land”)

“Non o koolidid ek explwatasion travayer etranze” (“No exploitation of foreign workers”), and “Pa vann nou pei” (“Don’t sell our country”).

Source: Defi Media