Local Mauritius

Labour minister considers replacing ‘cumbersome’ NTF

The minister of Labour, Shakeel Mohamed is looking at an alternative to the National Tripartite Forum (NTF) so that the compensation process is swift and without fuss. “We are looking for a formula where everyone will act responsibly. I am thinking of a system where there is no need for such a platform. I am [...]

15 Sep 2011, The Independent Daily

Fifty to take up jobs in Quebec

Some 50 people will be recruited in the province of Quebec in October and has been facilitated by the circulatory migration programme. They have been recruited to work in the meat industry for a period of two years. This was stated by Jacques Marie Jeanne of the National Empowerment Foundation (NEF). Employees have already carried [...]

15 Sep 2011, The Independent Daily

US sponsors leadership course

The United States (US) Embassy will sponsor Niveditha Nathoo for the International Leadership Program (IVLP) Africa Regional Branch project at the ‘Entrepreneurship Programme for African Women’ to be held from September 19 to October 7 in the US. This is a three-week programme that aims to give African women entrepreneurs the tools and opportunities to [...]

15 Sep 2011, The Independent Daily

Producer’s index stood at 0.9 pc

The Central Statistics Office (CSO) published figures of the producer price index for agriculture (PPI-A) during the second semester of 2011. The PPI-A that tracked price evolution showed an index of 100.6 in June as compared to 102.6. This is attributed to the combined effects of a rise of 0.7 per cent in April followed [...]

15 Sep 2011, The Independent Daily

America helps develop trade in agriculture

On Wednesday, the Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security, in collaboration with the US Embassy, organised a capacity building workshop on Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services (APHIS) for export of fruits such as pineapple and lychees, vegetables, plant materials and meat to the US market. Organised at Clos St Louis, Domaine Les Pailles, the [...]

15 Sep 2011, The Independent Daily

NGO hosts activities to mark Alzheimer’s Day

As part of World Alzheimer’s Day observed on September 21, the Mauritius Alzheimer’s Association will organise various activities from September 20 to 23 to educate the medical and paramedical staff, students and the public. French gerontologist and Alzheimer’s expert Dr Pierre Catteau will visit Mauritius too. He will meet patients at the Alzheimer Centre in [...]

15 Sep 2011, The Independent Daily

Nurses’ mess construction delayed at Flacq hospital

The project to construct a new mess at Flacq hospital has been facing delays. “I know this project is long overdue. My ministry will take up the matter to ensure that the work progresses smoothly,” said minister of Health and Quality of Life, Lormus Bundhoo in a press statement. Bagooaduth Kallooa, president of the Nursing [...]

15 Sep 2011, The Independent Daily

FDI generates Rs 3 bn during first semester

According to a press release from the Bank of Mauritius (BoM), foreign direct investment (FDI) from January to June stood at Rs 3 billion. The governor of BoM, Rundheersing Bheenick welcomed the report and said that this is a honourable performance taking into consideration the global meltdown. FDI fell by 60 per cent this year [...]

15 Sep 2011, The Independent Daily

Union threatens strike over NRB

The Hotels and Restaurant Employees Union is calling for an audit of the tourism sector in the wake of the global economic crisis. According to Jack Bizlall, spokesperson of the trade union, the tourism sector is set to become one of the pillars of the economy with significant job creation. “However, since 2008 the sector [...]

15 Sep 2011, The Independent Daily

Sugar workers to receive VRS

A restructuring exercise is currently being planned to better coordinate the activities of the various departments that fall under the Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security. Six agencies will merge to create the Mauritius Sugar Industry Authority (MSIA). Organisations that will be asked to merge include the Mauritius Sugar Authority (MSA), the Cane Planters and [...]

15 Sep 2011, The Independent Daily

Unions appreciate Duval’s stance

A meeting of the National Tripartite Committee will be held on Wednesday. This is the outcome of the letter addressed to minister of Finance and Economic Development, Xavier-Luc Duval. This is what unionist Toolsiraj Benydin, president of the trade union federation, told The Independent. He added, “Duval reacted positively to our demand and reassured us [...]

14 Sep 2011, The Independent Daily

AML launches second bid for new cargo zone

The construction project of a New Cargo Zone and New Freeport Zone at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport, Plaisance are quite advanced, still in progress. However, concerned over quality, AML is launching a second bid for a ‘master developer’ as the response to the first one did not meet the expectations. “We are putting emphasis [...]

14 Sep 2011, The Independent Daily

Health ministry tackles medical certificate issue

Obtaining a medical certificate is much harder than it looks. It has been brought to the notice of the Ministry of Health and Quality of Life that in some cases, doctors fail to ascertain the identity of the persons being issued medical certificates. “This is a breach of paragraph 42, Part II of the Code [...]

14 Sep 2011, The Independent Daily

Imports exceed exports

The Central Statistics Office (CSO) published external trade data for the second semester of 2011 on Monday. It revealed that the total international trade amounted to Rs 53,150 million and also showed the performance of various sectors such as export-oriented enterprises (EOE), total exports and freeport zone trade, among others. During the second quarter of [...]

14 Sep 2011, The Independent Daily

Interest grows in Vanilla isles

A team of nine Scandinavian journalists from Sweden, Denmark and Norway is currently in Mauritius for the promotion of Vanilla Islands. They are here after touring Reunion Island. On Tuesday, the journalists paid a courtesy visit to the minister of Tourism and Leisure, Michael Sik Yuen at his office premises in Port Louis. During their [...]

14 Sep 2011, The Independent Daily

Primary School Health Programme launched

The Primary School Health Programme (PSHP) for Health Region 2 kicked off on Tuesday at the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Government School at Cap Malheureux. The event was launched by the minister of Health and Quality of Life Lormus Bundhoo as part of the celebration of the 111th birth anniversary of Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam. Present at [...]

14 Sep 2011, The Independent Daily

Sewage system to connect 80 per cent of households

The Ministry of Energy and Public Utilities is preparing a 20 year plan (2014-2033) where 80 per cent of households will be connected to the sewage system by 2033 . Till date, 26 per cent of households are connected and this number will reach 50 per cent in 2013. The government is investing in construction [...]

14 Sep 2011, The Independent Daily

Deutsche Bank sponsors 100-km cycle tour

In a press meet organised the Le Courtyard Restaurant, Port Louis on Tuesday, Mike Bird, the chief country officer of Deutsche Bank (Mauritius) Limited and Barry Haarhoff, the chairman of the organising committee of Deutsche Bank Mauritius 100 Km and 50 Km Cycle Tour, officially launched the 2011 edition of the cycle tour, ‘Anou Pedaler’ [...]

14 Sep 2011, The Independent Daily

Imrith threatens to sue Civil Service minister

The president of the Government General Service Union (GSSU), Rashid Imrith, in a letter to the minister of Civil Sevice, Satyadeo Moutia has asked for an urgent meeting. This is to discuss the pension of government employees. This was stated by Imrith at the delegates assembly held at Rabita Hall Port Louis on Tuesday. He [...]

14 Sep 2011, The Independent Daily

Turkey offers training to officials

Following minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade, Arvin Boolell’s trip to Turkey for the signing of a Free Trade Agreement, important negotiations have come to light. “A business delegation headed by Turkey’s minister of Finance and Economy, Tayz Talabany will be visiting Mauritius by the end of this year to assess the [...]

14 Sep 2011, The Independent Daily