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- By News On Sunday
- Published 10/30/2009
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Sugar talks get bitter
It's stalemate between the Mauritius Sugar Producers Association and sugar cane workers . The workers want a 45 % increase in their salaries; they are not preepared to accept the 13 % offered by the producers.
The MSPA says the demands of the workers are exaggerated.
“ They are not exaggerated,” says Lall Dewnath of the Artisans and General Workers Union (AGWU) to News On Sunday. “They are based on strong grounds. Salaries in this vital sector of the economy have not been increased for nearly a decade. Furthermore the MAAS 2006/2015 Reform in the sugar industry earmarked around Rs 10 billion for the modernisation of the sugar industry and a better working environment for the workers,” he adds.
The union is starting a national campaign to sensitise all sugar cane workers from November 3.
Hadj pilgrimage
1800 visas for Hadj have been issued for Mauritian pilgrims this year by Saudi Arabia. The news has been confirmed by Dr Abu Kasenally, Minister responsible for Hadj and Dr Farhad Aumeer, Chairman of the Islamic Cultural Centre Trust Fund Board,at a press conference, in Port Louis, on Thursday.
The quota is above expectations as only 1603 demands for Hadj have been registered this year with all the applications already approved. An Arab delegation will be in Mauritius on Saturday to proceed with the registration of the pilgrims.
This year the tariff for Hadj will be slightly higher since special services will be provided to Hadjis such as tighter security, better sanitation, bed and more adequate food on a 24-hour basis in places like Mina, Musdalifa and Arafat where a crowd of around three million people converge every year. Abu Kasenally assured pilgrims that all necessary measures have been taken by the Saudi Arabia Hadj Authorities so that the H1N1 pandemic is contained. A special hospital will treat those suspected of being affected by the virus while many drastic precautionary measures and improved sanitations have been adopted to prevent contamination.
The majority of the pilgrims will travel by direct flight on Air Mauritius with the first flight scheduled for November 10. A few pilgrims are leaving on Emirates Airline on November 5.
MTUC proposals
The Mauritius Trade Union Congress (MTUC) sent a 'Framework Paper' on pre-budgetary observations and proposals to the Minister of Finance on Thursday.. Among the main proposals made by the MTUC are an increase in the non-taxable Income threshold ceiling by Rs 50,000 and a reduction for the first taxable Rs 500,000 and to maintain the 15% tax rate for any extra income.
Equal Opportunity
The Equal Opportunities Act will be promulgated by the end of this year. This announcement was made by the Attorney General, Rama Valayden, to RadioPlus on Thursday. He said that the necessary infrastructures will be set up in time and place . Although the law has already been passed, they need to review a few things.
“We must review the law and the Commission of Human Rights, following which there would be the nomination. The Prime Minister is reviewing it too,” he said. Only then would they work towards the promulgation of the act which he describes as revolutionary.
No change in VAT
While Value Added Tax (VAT) will remain unchanged, salary compensation is still being worked upon at the Ministry of Finance, Dr Rama Sithanen announced in a programme on the national television, on Wednesday night.
The programme focused partly on the budget which will be presented in three weeks, time. The minister referred to the salary compensation for the period July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010 which will be dispensed as from July 1, 2010. However, the Ministry will soon disclose its decision, regarding the possible payment of a salary compensation.
Naza Forza
Balgobin Automobile Ltd has launched a new car, Naza Forza and it’s a 1.1 lt version. It is a Malaysian brand designed by Pininfarina from Italy. As key options one has alloy wheels, central remote control locking, Rear sensor, Mcphersion suspension, and other gadgets. It is available in six colours and the price is Rs510,000 (on road excluding insurance).
The Naza Forza is also the official car of the Miss Mauritius 2009.
NRB Remuneration
The Minister of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment has approved the NRB recommendations concerning employees of the Road Haulage Industry. The regulations shall come into operation on November 1,
2009.
These regulations concern workers in continuous employment and whereby the drivers concerned are: Tanker Driver; Tanker Driver’s Assistant; Driver Grade I : for motor vehicles of +10 tons; Driver Grade II : for motor vehicles of +5 tons, but -10 tons. Driver Grade III: for motor vehicles of -5 tons; Vehicle Assistant (formerly known as Helper); Vehicle Assistant (formerly known as Lorry Attendant).
The road haulage industry includes those involved in the transport by van, lorry or trailer of equipment, building materials, personnel goods. The trade or business however should not be (i) an export enterprise, (ii) a distributive trade, (iii) a light metal industry, (iv) the sugar industry, (v) the construction industry, (vi) the baking industry, (vii) the cinema industry, (viii) the catering industry, (ix) the nursing homes and (x) the tea industry.muAS
Infinity demands
Infinity, which operates in the Business Process Outsourcing sector in Mauritius, is asking help from the State for the payment of its debts amounting to Rs 42 million.
The said amount represents unpaid rent owed to Business Parks of Mauritius. Infinity BPO has been ordered by the court to effect payment of its debts latest on the 30th of this month. The firm is asking for Government's aid under the stimulus package to save the jobs of its 650 employees.
Rajputs protest
The Gahlot Suryavashi Rajput Sabha, a Rajput association accused the Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) of boycott. The president of the Rajput company, Devanand Bhoyroo, deplores that the Rajput comunity does not obtain equal media coverage at the national radio television station. He has addressed several letters in this context to Dan Callikhan, the General Director of the MBC, who didn’t even take the trouble to reply. Following this Bhoyroo has made an appeal to the Prime Minister to bring the MBC to order otherwise he would go on a hunger strike. For him it is not fair that members of the Rajput community are the only one to be boycotted by the MBC.
Dr. Tharoor’s Lecture
Dr. Sashi Tharoor, Indian Minister of State for External Affairs, is giving a lecture at Octave Wiehé Auditorium, University of Mauritius, on Tuesday November 3 at 2.30 p.m. Theme: India-Africa: Partners in development.
Dr. Tharoor is the chief guest at the national celebration marking the 175th anniversary of the arrival of Indian indentured labourers in Mauritius.
Seegum on CPE
Vinod Seegum, President of the Government Teachers’ Union (GTU) said on Wednesday that he was against the two proposals that Father Gregoire made last Sunday during a public meeting in Champ de Mars. The two proposals are: the Abolition of the Certificate of Primary Education (CPE) and the introduction of a system of continuous assessment at the primary level.
Vinod Seegum said that the CPE had already established itself in Mauritius and was unquestionable and as for the system of continuous assessment he believed it to be inconvenient for our educational system.
Compensation
The federation of private sector workers is claiming a monthly salary compensation of Rs 800 in its proposal submitted to Dr Rama Sithanen, Minister of Finance, in the context of the next budget presentation due on Wednesday November 18.
Jane Ragoo, the spokesperson, says that the private workers claim is justified since they have been the greatest loser when the National Pay Council(NPC) had proceeded with the evaluation of the salary compensation rate in 2006.
Ragoo deplores that private workers have lost between Rs1400 and Rs 1600 in their purchasing power since the introduction of the NPC.
Chagos visit
Around 20 Chagossians of the 'Groupe Refugies Chagos', left Mauritius on Tuesday for their native islands in the Archipelago of Diego Garcia, to pay homage to their ancestors during the forthcoming All Saints and All Souls days celebrated on November 1 and 2 respectively.
Olivier Bancoult, leader of the GRC said that the Chagossians usually leave their wreaths at the office of the British High Commission which in turn conveys them to the archipelago, but that this year the British authorities prefer to take them on the site.
Students in Pak
Students who are now in trouble-torn Pakistan can get a loan from the Ministry of Social Security if they wish to return home. The announcement was made on Monday by Foreign Secretary, Anand Neewoor, who also presides a high-powered committee that is closely monitoring the situation in Pakistan.
However, Goolamy Beegun, a member of the High Powered Committee said that all the Mauritian students studying in Pakistan were refusing to be back in Mauritius, with the exception of one, in spite of the insecurity that prevails over there.
It's stalemate between the Mauritius Sugar Producers Association and sugar cane workers . The workers want a 45 % increase in their salaries; they are not preepared to accept the 13 % offered by the producers.
The MSPA says the demands of the workers are exaggerated.
“ They are not exaggerated,” says Lall Dewnath of the Artisans and General Workers Union (AGWU) to News On Sunday. “They are based on strong grounds. Salaries in this vital sector of the economy have not been increased for nearly a decade. Furthermore the MAAS 2006/2015 Reform in the sugar industry earmarked around Rs 10 billion for the modernisation of the sugar industry and a better working environment for the workers,” he adds.
The union is starting a national campaign to sensitise all sugar cane workers from November 3.
Hadj pilgrimage
1800 visas for Hadj have been issued for Mauritian pilgrims this year by Saudi Arabia. The news has been confirmed by Dr Abu Kasenally, Minister responsible for Hadj and Dr Farhad Aumeer, Chairman of the Islamic Cultural Centre Trust Fund Board,at a press conference, in Port Louis, on Thursday.
The quota is above expectations as only 1603 demands for Hadj have been registered this year with all the applications already approved. An Arab delegation will be in Mauritius on Saturday to proceed with the registration of the pilgrims.
This year the tariff for Hadj will be slightly higher since special services will be provided to Hadjis such as tighter security, better sanitation, bed and more adequate food on a 24-hour basis in places like Mina, Musdalifa and Arafat where a crowd of around three million people converge every year. Abu Kasenally assured pilgrims that all necessary measures have been taken by the Saudi Arabia Hadj Authorities so that the H1N1 pandemic is contained. A special hospital will treat those suspected of being affected by the virus while many drastic precautionary measures and improved sanitations have been adopted to prevent contamination.
The majority of the pilgrims will travel by direct flight on Air Mauritius with the first flight scheduled for November 10. A few pilgrims are leaving on Emirates Airline on November 5.
MTUC proposals
The Mauritius Trade Union Congress (MTUC) sent a 'Framework Paper' on pre-budgetary observations and proposals to the Minister of Finance on Thursday.. Among the main proposals made by the MTUC are an increase in the non-taxable Income threshold ceiling by Rs 50,000 and a reduction for the first taxable Rs 500,000 and to maintain the 15% tax rate for any extra income.
Equal Opportunity
The Equal Opportunities Act will be promulgated by the end of this year. This announcement was made by the Attorney General, Rama Valayden, to RadioPlus on Thursday. He said that the necessary infrastructures will be set up in time and place . Although the law has already been passed, they need to review a few things.
“We must review the law and the Commission of Human Rights, following which there would be the nomination. The Prime Minister is reviewing it too,” he said. Only then would they work towards the promulgation of the act which he describes as revolutionary.
No change in VAT
While Value Added Tax (VAT) will remain unchanged, salary compensation is still being worked upon at the Ministry of Finance, Dr Rama Sithanen announced in a programme on the national television, on Wednesday night.
The programme focused partly on the budget which will be presented in three weeks, time. The minister referred to the salary compensation for the period July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010 which will be dispensed as from July 1, 2010. However, the Ministry will soon disclose its decision, regarding the possible payment of a salary compensation.
Naza Forza
Balgobin Automobile Ltd has launched a new car, Naza Forza and it’s a 1.1 lt version. It is a Malaysian brand designed by Pininfarina from Italy. As key options one has alloy wheels, central remote control locking, Rear sensor, Mcphersion suspension, and other gadgets. It is available in six colours and the price is Rs510,000 (on road excluding insurance).
The Naza Forza is also the official car of the Miss Mauritius 2009.
NRB Remuneration
The Minister of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment has approved the NRB recommendations concerning employees of the Road Haulage Industry. The regulations shall come into operation on November 1,
These regulations concern workers in continuous employment and whereby the drivers concerned are: Tanker Driver; Tanker Driver’s Assistant; Driver Grade I : for motor vehicles of +10 tons; Driver Grade II : for motor vehicles of +5 tons, but -10 tons. Driver Grade III: for motor vehicles of -5 tons; Vehicle Assistant (formerly known as Helper); Vehicle Assistant (formerly known as Lorry Attendant).
The road haulage industry includes those involved in the transport by van, lorry or trailer of equipment, building materials, personnel goods. The trade or business however should not be (i) an export enterprise, (ii) a distributive trade, (iii) a light metal industry, (iv) the sugar industry, (v) the construction industry, (vi) the baking industry, (vii) the cinema industry, (viii) the catering industry, (ix) the nursing homes and (x) the tea industry.muAS
Infinity demands
Infinity, which operates in the Business Process Outsourcing sector in Mauritius, is asking help from the State for the payment of its debts amounting to Rs 42 million.
The said amount represents unpaid rent owed to Business Parks of Mauritius. Infinity BPO has been ordered by the court to effect payment of its debts latest on the 30th of this month. The firm is asking for Government's aid under the stimulus package to save the jobs of its 650 employees.
Rajputs protest
The Gahlot Suryavashi Rajput Sabha, a Rajput association accused the Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) of boycott. The president of the Rajput company, Devanand Bhoyroo, deplores that the Rajput comunity does not obtain equal media coverage at the national radio television station. He has addressed several letters in this context to Dan Callikhan, the General Director of the MBC, who didn’t even take the trouble to reply. Following this Bhoyroo has made an appeal to the Prime Minister to bring the MBC to order otherwise he would go on a hunger strike. For him it is not fair that members of the Rajput community are the only one to be boycotted by the MBC.
Dr. Tharoor’s Lecture
Dr. Sashi Tharoor, Indian Minister of State for External Affairs, is giving a lecture at Octave Wiehé Auditorium, University of Mauritius, on Tuesday November 3 at 2.30 p.m. Theme: India-Africa: Partners in development.
Dr. Tharoor is the chief guest at the national celebration marking the 175th anniversary of the arrival of Indian indentured labourers in Mauritius.
Seegum on CPE
Vinod Seegum, President of the Government Teachers’ Union (GTU) said on Wednesday that he was against the two proposals that Father Gregoire made last Sunday during a public meeting in Champ de Mars. The two proposals are: the Abolition of the Certificate of Primary Education (CPE) and the introduction of a system of continuous assessment at the primary level.
Vinod Seegum said that the CPE had already established itself in Mauritius and was unquestionable and as for the system of continuous assessment he believed it to be inconvenient for our educational system.
Compensation
The federation of private sector workers is claiming a monthly salary compensation of Rs 800 in its proposal submitted to Dr Rama Sithanen, Minister of Finance, in the context of the next budget presentation due on Wednesday November 18.
Jane Ragoo, the spokesperson, says that the private workers claim is justified since they have been the greatest loser when the National Pay Council(NPC) had proceeded with the evaluation of the salary compensation rate in 2006.
Ragoo deplores that private workers have lost between Rs1400 and Rs 1600 in their purchasing power since the introduction of the NPC.
Chagos visit
Around 20 Chagossians of the 'Groupe Refugies Chagos', left Mauritius on Tuesday for their native islands in the Archipelago of Diego Garcia, to pay homage to their ancestors during the forthcoming All Saints and All Souls days celebrated on November 1 and 2 respectively.
Olivier Bancoult, leader of the GRC said that the Chagossians usually leave their wreaths at the office of the British High Commission which in turn conveys them to the archipelago, but that this year the British authorities prefer to take them on the site.
Students in Pak
Students who are now in trouble-torn Pakistan can get a loan from the Ministry of Social Security if they wish to return home. The announcement was made on Monday by Foreign Secretary, Anand Neewoor, who also presides a high-powered committee that is closely monitoring the situation in Pakistan.
However, Goolamy Beegun, a member of the High Powered Committee said that all the Mauritian students studying in Pakistan were refusing to be back in Mauritius, with the exception of one, in spite of the insecurity that prevails over there.
Mauritius Rupee Exchange Rate