2015 – 2024 Recruitment: MT’s 700 Employees Surplus Under Scrutiny

Between 2015 and 2024, Mauritius Telecom has been significantly politicized, with recruitment and promotions allegedly used as instruments of political influence. Among the government institutions currently under scrutiny by authorities and the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Mauritius Telecom is in a central position.

The PMO is preparing to conduct a thorough investigation into the recruitment and promotion practices within Mauritius Telecom (MT) during the specified period.

This initiative is at a time when the national telecommunications company is undergoing transitions, notably following the recent appointment of Sarat Lallah as Chairman of the Board and the anticipated hiring of a new Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

The investigation coincided with similar scrutiny affecting other organizations, such as the Economic Development Board (EDB) and Air Mauritius, all of which are suspected of having irregularities under the previous administration.

The aim of the investigation is to shed light on allegations of misconduct, particularly those related to violations of meritocracy and good governance principles.

Internal Defi Media sources have raised concerns regarding questionable recruitment and promotion practices that seemingly prioritized political and personal affiliations over qualifications.

Preliminary evidence within Mauritius Telecom pointed to anomalies across several key departments, notably in innovation, cybersecurity, human resources, marketing, commerce, and call centers.

These strategic sectors appear to have been utilized to favor the inclusion of individuals connected to the previous regime, often without consideration of the necessary skills.

One specific anomaly highlighted is the large-scale hiring of approximately 100 engineers within a short timeframe, raising doubts about the company’s actual needs and the appropriateness of these recruitments.

Such practices may have adversely affected the operational efficiency and overall performance of the organization.

A particularly striking trend observed in these recruitment efforts is a substantial concentration of positions awarded to residents in Constituency No. 8 (Moka/Quartier-Militaire), a stronghold for Pravind Jugnauth, the former Prime Minister and leader of the Militant Socialist Movement (MSM).

This is raising suspicions that the recruitment process may have been manipulated for political purposes.

According to Defi Media internal sources at Mauritius Telecom, the company is currently experiencing overstaffing, with an estimated surplus of about 700 employees.

If confirmed, this information would raise significant questions regarding human resource management and the operational costs of the company.

However, only the PMO’s commissioned investigation will verify the accuracy of these figures.

The inquiry will also need to closely examine approximately 100 recruitments that occurred just before the general elections scheduled for 2024.

Several insider reports suggest that these hires were directly ordered by a high-ranking figure from the previous administration.

The status of these new employees, who are still on probation, will require immediate and careful attention.

The outcomes of this investigation could extend far beyond Mauritius Telecom.

In fact, this process may serve as a critical test for the current government, which must demonstrate its commitment to transparency and accountability in managing public enterprises.

If the investigation confirms an excess of 700 employees, the question of restructuring will inevitably arise.

Source: Defi Media