Mauritius: CMWEU joins mammoth protest against oil spill

(Photo: AFP via Getty Images)

The Construction, Metal, Wooden and Related Industries Employees Union (CMWEU) joined thousands of protesters who flooded the streets of Mauritius on 29 August over the government's slow response to a massive oil spill that destroyed a large part of the country’s rich maritime area. 

According to various reports, the Japanese ship MV Wakashio ran aground on Mauritius’ shallow waters on 25 July, leaking 1,000 tons of oil into coral reefs and pristine water lagoons, killing dozens of dolphins and threatening the area’s ecosystems.

CMWEU General Secretary Reeaz Chuttoo said that many Mauritians believe that the government could have done more to prevent the spill. “We are calling on the government to set up a commission to investigate the spill, demand reparations for the environmental damage and respond to the thousands of people and marine life affected by this catastrophe.” 

It was reported that an estimated 50,000 people joined the mammoth protest rally in Port Louis, the country’s capital. The event was described as the country’s biggest protest action in the last 40 years. Many wore black shirts, waved Mauritian flags and participated in noise barrage activities.