Titbits from Mauritius
Written by Editor Saturday, 18 June 2011 11:30
By Ahmad Macky
Over 155 policemen suspended
A document deposited at the National Assembly, by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), shows that over 155 police officers were suspended.
The reasons include corruption, brutality or for offences wrongly reported. Among this number are 31 constables, two chief inspectors, three inspectors, two ‘band masters’ and six corporals. The largest number of suspensions among the constables are the police sergeants, 18 in total and 123 constables, including 4 women.
Three ‘Trainee Police Constables’ have also been suspended.
About 8,000 workers sacked within two years
Since the implementation of the Employment Rights Act in 2008, 7,932 workers have been sacked. The statistics are alarming for the first four months of 2011 with 1,935 layoffs.
With this trend, it will be the worst period since the enactment of the law. Figures recently released by the Ministry of Labour in the National Assembly show that the sector which has by far been the worst affected is the Free Zone with 3,941 job losses due to closures and cutting down of activities. The hotel and catering industry sacked 849 people.
Even if the tourist industry this year saw an upward trend, it couldn’t help getting rid of 162 employees. The land and real estate field has also been hit hard during the first four months of this year with 470 workers laid off. The trade sector laid off 32 workers against 30 people for the finance sector.
Based on the figures from the Ministry of Labour, the education sector was the least affected.
Water crisis persists
“The water situation is critical. There is a risk that the situation will become more alarming by the end of the year. Let us pray that winter rains are beneficial to us,” said Dr Rashid Beebeejaune, vice Prime Minister and Minister of Energy and Public Utilities.
He added that promoters would see to it that the Mare Longue project was implemented. Meanwhile, the Minister appealed to the population to judiciously use drinking water.
Food theft
On the 11th May, the Director of C& S Ltd reported that between January 2011 and 11 May 2011, several canned foods worth about Rs 250,000 were stolen from a container parked in the yard of the above named company.
On the same day, two workers, one aged 25, a driver residing at Quatre Bornes, and another one aged 28, residing at Cité L’Oiseau, were arrested and they confessed their guilt. They have been detained.
Fatal burns
On Wednesday the 11th May, a 75 year-old man residing at Floréal passed away at the ICU Burns Unit, PMOC.
He was admitted in mid-February after he accidentally sustained burns at home whilst cooking food.
Dr Chamane, PMO certified that cause of death was due to ‘septicaemia’.
Electric shock
During May, a young man of 28, residing at Camp Le Vieux, received an electrical shock when a metal tube he was holding accidentally touched against an electric wire.
He was working on the roof of a house under construction situated at Avenue de Roche Brunes.
He was taken to PMOC and admitted to the ICU. His condition is serious.
Singapore President
to visit Mauritius
Singapore President Mr Sellapan Ramanathan will be on a state visit to Mauritius from 4 to 7 June.
Leading a delegation comprising MPs and the private sector, he will pay courtesy calls on the President and the Prime Minister. The Singaporean President will also participate in a business forum and address the National Assembly.
The University of Mauritius will confer the degree Honoris Causa on him
BOM purchases FOREX
The Bank of Mauritius (BOM) intervened on the domestic foreign exchange market on two occasions during May.
On the first occasion, the Bank purchased an amount of USD 12.67 million and EUR1.1 million at the weighted rates of Rs/USD27.3000 and Rs/EUR40.36, respectively. On the second occasion, the Bank bought an amount of USD5.0 million at the weighted rate of Rs/USD27.3000.
Speaking unions bills
The Illois Welfare Fund (Amendment) Bill was voted on recently. This law was amended in order to replace the word “illois” by that of “Chagossians”.
The Arabic Speaking Union Bill, the Bhojpuri Speaking Union Bill, the Chinese Speaking Union Bill and the Creole Speaking Union Bill were read a second time at the National Assembly and debates started after these bills were presented by the Minister of Culture Mokeswar Choonee.
Mortal toxic fumes
Bharath Bissoonauth, a 32 year-old welder, his wife (aged 27), as well as their children, a three year-old boy, Lucky, and a baby girl of four days were taken to Civil Hospital after they were found lying unconscious in their bedroom at Gandhi Road, L’Esperance, Quartier Militaire.
The father and baby were pronounced dead. Dr Gungadin, CPMO, certified that their death was due to asphyxia from inhalation of smoke (from charcoal stove).
The son has been admitted to the ICU of PMOC. The mother was discharged the following day.
Hit and run accident
On Tuesday the 10th May, a baker, aged 57 and resident of Beau Bassin, was knocked down whilst crossing the road in front of a snack bar.
He was hit by a private van, which failed to stop, and killed on the spot. The accident occurred at Beau Bassin. The registration number plate of the van was taken at the site.
According to the National Transport Authority (NTA) records, the registered owner of the van is a resident of Royal Rd, Gros Cailloux.
The police are looking for him.
Mosque burgled
On Tuesday the 10th May, the President of Baba Jahangeer Shah Mosque (aged 63) and residing at Triolet, reported that money was stolen from the Mosque situated at Royal Rd, Terre Rouge.
The theft occurred on the Monday night, by breaking a door. On the same day Police at Terre Rouge arrested one person, aged 23, residing behind the Mosque
MTML to get on
the stock exchange
State-run Indian telecom operator, Mahangar Telephone Nigam Ltd (MTNL), is considering listing its Mauritius arm, Mahangar Telephone Mauritius Limited (MTML), on the Stock Exchange of Mauritius, ahead of its plans to enter the African market.
MTML, a wholly-owned subdiary of the Indian undertaking started its Mauritius operations in 2005 with its international long distance services. However, it started full-fledged telecom services in 2007 and has already created a base of one hundred thousand subscribers.
Aerospace equipment
The Board of Investment organized an investment mission to the Hamburg Aircraft Interior Show 2011, in Germany, so as to encourage aerospace OEMs, as well as Aircraft maintenance and overhaul companies, to set up units in Mauritius.
Equipment manufacturing for Aerospace is one of the various industrial activities requiring the use of high technology and precision skills and is identified as one of the sectors that correspond to a huge forecasted demand in the world market for the next 20 years.
The development of an Aerospace industry in Mauritius falls in line with the philosophy of the 2011 Budget to move our manufacturing sector higher up the value chain and encourage manufacturing enterprises to rebalance their activities to higher value added production.
Profits up for State
Bank of Mauritius
State Bank of Mauritius reported profits of RS 1,6 billion for the first nine months of its current financial year.
This is 4.6% higher than the corresponding previous period. The bank registered 29.6% growth in non-interest income, comprising mostly returns on investment, bank charges, dividends and commissions.
Operational expenses rose by about 12.4%, mainly due to increasing staff costs.
Rise in tourist couples
Premier Mauritius Holidays, a UK-based one-stop shop for Mauritius holidays is registering an increase in the number of foreign couples visiting Mauritius to get married, whilst also being accompanied by their guests.
The trend is for the couples to stay at 5-star resorts and the guests in beautiful, affordable apartments nearby. According to Premier Mauritius Holidays, holidaying in Mauritius is not very expensive as it is possible to get affordable flights, hotels and tours.
