Minister of Labour Calls for Minimum Wage in Informal Sector

In a stirring address, Labour Minister Reza Uteem has highlighted the pressing need for a minimum hourly wage for the informal sector, which currently employs a significant number of workers in Mauritius. Unfortunately, many self-employed individuals are not receiving any minimum salary. “My ministry is diligently working towards establishing a minimum wage rate,” he asserted.

“Whether you are a domestic worker or someone labouring just two to three hours a day for a private individual, you deserve a guaranteed income.

Even if you are a mason or an electrician paid on a daily basis, there should be a baseline amount you receive.”

Uteem also acknowledged that potential investors are hesitant to commit to Mauritius due to a “major constraint concerning Mauritian workers.”

He noted, “Many investors are expressing frustration at their inability to find local workers.”

He explained, that this is compounded by the fact that numerous Mauritian workers are unwilling to engage in weekend work, overtime, or night shifts.

Consequently, he indicated that the recruitment of foreign workers is becoming increasingly essential.

As of today, there are 48,000 foreign workers in Mauritius, comprising 8% of the active workforce.

The minister elaborated on the broad strategies being implemented regarding foreign recruitment, lamenting that in recent times, foreign workers have suffered mistreatment, tarnishing the nation’s reputation.

This has led to Mauritius being blacklisted on the U.S. Trafficking in Persons register and deemed a country where forced labour exists by the Department of Trade.

Recent statistics from the Passport and Immigration Office reveal that over 3,000 out of 6,000 foreign workers have already left the nation, indicating progress in addressing the issue of illegal foreign labour.

However, Uteem highlighted a stark reality—the unemployment rate among young people aged 18 to 24 stands at a troubling 17%, while the overall unemployment rate is significantly lower at 6%.

At the core of this issue, he remarked, is a new generation with different aspirations, one that seeks a balance between work and leisure.

“We must heed the calls of our youth, for if we do not, they will leave the country, exacerbating the brain drain we are already grappling with in Mauritius,” he warned.

Many young graduates emerge from university with impressive qualifications, yet find themselves facing a dearth of job opportunities.

Uteem confirmed that he is collaborating with the Ministry of Human Resources to develop training courses to enhance their employment prospects.

“We have presented ourselves before the electorate with a promise to improve workers’ conditions.

We firmly believe that a happy worker is a productive worker, and a productive worker is a profitable worker for the company,” he emphasised.

In his hopeful vision for the future, he articulated a desire to dismantle the barrier that pits employers against workers, striving instead for a climate of collaboration and dialogue.

He extended his gratitude to union leaders advocating for workers’ rights, acknowledging that while some may occasionally display excessive zeal, the majority perform commendably in their roles.

Uteem stressed that improving working conditions must also encompass the introduction of a 40-hour work week, parental leave, and a focus on mental health to prevent burnout among employees.

As he concluded, the call for change resonates not just for the present, but for the sustainable future of Mauritian society.

Source: Le Mauricien