Minister Uteem: No Backing Required to Apply for Jobs

On May 20, during the Radio Plus show “Au Cœur de l’Info,” hosted by Murvind Beetun, a discussion took place involving Labour Minister Reza Uteem, MP Eshan Juman, lawyer Dev Ramano, and former magistrate Noren Seeburn. The focus was on the recent announcement that 1,765 employees of the Local Government Service Commission (LGSC) would lose their jobs. This mass layoff, primarily affecting local government staff, has shocked the public.

Dev Ramano described the situation as a “human tragedy,” arguing that these workers should not suffer due to decisions made by higher authorities.

He emphasized that, regardless of how they were hired, these individuals have performed their jobs and should not be treated as mere administrative errors.

He called for significant reforms in public recruitment processes and noted that similar situations have occurred in 2005, 2006, and 2014, consistently impacting the most vulnerable.

In response, Minister Uteem defended the government’s actions, stating that the layoffs were based on legal advice confirming the illegality of the recruitment process.

He insisted that the decision was not politically motivated and expressed a desire to establish a culture of merit and transparency, stating, “You don’t need backing to get a job.”

This stance drew criticism, particularly towards MP Eshan Juman, who had previously promised during the election campaign that no municipal or district council employees would be laid off.

Juman claimed he was unaware of the legal details surrounding the contracts and expressed solidarity with the workers, attributing the current situation to a system established by the previous government.

He also pointed out the hypocrisy of former officials who now seek to distance themselves from the issue.

Noren Seeburn highlighted that such situations are common in Mauritian politics, with similar layoffs occurring with each change of government due to politically motivated hiring practices.

He advocated for a human audit of institutions to clarify how these hires were made.

The discussion also touched on the controversial “Moustass Leaks,” which revealed instructions from the former Prime Minister’s wife, Kobita Jugnauth, regarding recruitment.

Ramano called for an independent investigation into these recordings, stressing the need for a commission to restore trust in institutions.

As the end of their contracts approaches, the 1,765 workers face uncertainty. They have received a one-month notice but no transition plan has been announced.

For them, this is not just about losing a job; it threatens their income, future, and family stability.

Source: Defi Media