Opportunities and concerns about the future of the labor market

Are we at the dawn of a new wave of Mauritians, especially young people, emigrating abroad? The question has arisen as recent budget announcements have opened the door to unlimited admission of foreign workers in sectors such as manufacturing, jewellery, free ports and information and communications technology, raising concerns about a possible over-influx. Unions close to foreign workers are speaking out.

Fearing that the budget measure would not only encourage cheap labour but also exacerbate labour exploitation, many people responded to the call of trade union groups to peacefully demonstrate in the streets of Port Louis on Saturday. Ashok Subron Federation of Trade Unionslists 12 demands that the union intends to raise with the government so that it reviews its policy of recruiting 100% foreign workforce. “We call for a freeze on new foreign worker recruitment policies until the next general election. We call for the establishment of a body or immigration ombudsman. We also call for the maintenance of the current foreign worker quota system for companies.”

Should we be worried about a surplus of foreign workers in Mauritius in the coming years? “of course not””, said Reeaz Chuttao, president of the Confederation of Public and Private Sector Workers (CTSP). “Foreign workers should not be treated as invaders. At CTSP, foreign workers are treated as human beings first. We must not succumb to the agenda of the capitalist system, where capital and commodities circulate freely but human beings have no right to do the same. We are no longer in the era of slavery.”

If young Mauritians want to try their luck in Canada, they are free to do so. “In the near future, the number of foreign workers may even exceed our population. This phenomenon is not a brain drain, but a population loss. Some of the young people who go abroad are not necessarily qualified, and manual laborers are also going abroad. We are one of the ten countries in the world with the fastest declining birth rates. The current ratio is 1:3, and we need to reach 1:5 for every woman to stabilize the population, which is almost impossible.”

Reeaz Chuttoo said that every effort should be made to ensure that these foreign workers benefit from the same economic, social and political rights as Mauritians. Of course, current demand leads employers to prefer foreign workers, who cost ten times less than Mauritians. “You should know that employers do not pay a transferable retirement fund for foreign workers, which is equivalent to 4.5% of the monthly salary, or about 7% of the basic salary. In addition, the employer also enjoys a six-month exemption from generalized social contributions, or even a two-year exemption, if the person works in a free zone. Many employers undervalue their workers and register them as masons while doing electrical work.”

Faisal Allie Biegun, President Textile Manufacturing and Allied Industries Unioninsisting that foreign workers do not pose a threat to the country. “It’s not a question of locals being lazy, it’s a question of Mauritians not wanting to work in certain professions.” He used the manufacturing industry as an example: “You have to start working at 7:30 in the morning and work until 3:15 in the afternoon. If an employee is asked to work overtime, he will finish work around 9 pm. Don’t forget that on Saturdays, the staff can work until 3 pm…”

In addition to extended working hours, he also highlighted environmental conditions: “The company is like a prison; employees have to buy their meals behind bars.” He also discussed working conditions in public transportation: “They are locked in their cabins almost all day, even sitting behind the steering wheel to eat. We should review the laws governing operators in this industry. Young people don’t want to work there, and companies will most likely have to turn to foreign workers.”

Faisal Ally Beegun said the authorities must think of solutions to avoid depreciation of the rupee. “This measure could discourage Mauritians from looking for work abroad. When we go to the supermarket or the pharmacy, we see that prices are constantly rising.” He added that existing laws in the world of work must be made more favourable to workers. “We must put an end to the exploitation of workers, especially foreigners, which has been going on for more than 30 years. Will the living conditions of these workers in sectors such as agriculture, hospitality or manufacturing remain the same? We hope that the country will not be provoked by human trafficking.” He recalled arrests in recent months, with immigration police rounding up illegal workers in the early hours of the morning. “Why don’t authorities take the same action when dealing with drug dealers?”

While foreign workers can meet recruitment needs in certain sectors, it is vital to ensure that they enjoy the same rights and protections as Mauritian workers and not exploit them.