Long-Awaited Measure: Salary Adjustment Set to Take Effect September 20

As of Friday, employees in certain sectors will see a long-anticipated salary adjustment come into effect. This adjustment is seen as vital as the Parliament prepared for its impending dissolution, which is expected to occur no later than October 9. This move is aiming to avert a by-election in the Montagne-Blanche/Grande-Rivière-Sud-Est constituency.

In recent weeks, the government has ramped up its announcements and the implementation of popular measures, particularly concerning salaries.

After months of waiting, concrete actions are finally taking shape, with many employees looking for a salary realignment since July.

The implementation, however, was postponed until the end of September.

The salary adjustment, officially published in the Government Gazette on September 13, is designed to rectify discrepancies arising from the increase in the minimum wage, which took effect in January 2024.

It specifically affects staff earning above the minimum wage. For instance, employees who were earning between Rs 12,175 and Rs 16,765 in December 2023 will see salary adjustments ranging from Rs 600 to Rs 3,298.

Meanwhile, those with salaries between Rs 20,000 and Rs 50,000 will receive a flat adjustment of Rs 2,925.

Employers will also be required to pay “back pay” for the months of July and August, with a deadline set for December 2024 to settle these outstanding payments.

While this salary adjustment aligned with the introduction of the minimum wage, it also carried significant political implications.

The government, particularly Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth, has been making a series of electoral promises in recent weeks to attract voters.

Other notable measures include free internet access for youth aged 18 to 25, a one-time grant of Rs 20,000 for 18-year-olds, and interest-free home loans for individuals aged 18 to 35.

Attention is now focused on the announcements that Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth might make on the upcoming Day of the Elderly, scheduled for September 29.

Many political observers believe that this might be his final statement as Prime Minister before the Parliament is dissolved.

Historian and political analyst Jocelyn Chan Low noted that the announcement regarding the salary adjustment is part of a broader strategy initiated with the implementation of the minimum wage.

“The quick implementation of this adjustment aims to ensure that employees receive their increase by the end of September, clearly indicating an intention to appeal to voters,” he stated.

Chan Low noted that the political landscape has shifted significantly in recent years, with a growing number of voters identifying as undecided and distancing themselves from traditional political blocks.

“Today, more than half of Mauritians are undecided and no longer feel represented by traditional political parties. Many voters, who no longer consider themselves die-hard supporters, are swayed by immediate benefits.”

However, he acknowledged that while these recent measures will impact the upcoming general elections, they will not solely determine their outcome.

Source: Defi Media