Mauritius: Unions secure major wins in gov't budget for workers and families

In a landmark move, nearly a week ago, the Minister of Finance and Economic Development unveiled the fifth and final budget of the current Mauritian government’s mandate. The budget, which has significant implications for workers and families across the nation, includes a host of child-centred benefits and protections for migrant workers.

After years of tireless advocacy by the BWI-affiliated Construction Workers’ Union of Mauritius (CMWEU) and its federation, the Confédération des travailleurs des secteurs public et privé (CTSP), the government has introduced several new benefits aimed at supporting families. BWI has commended the trade unionists for their outstanding efforts in advancing workers' rights and achieving these significant milestones in Mauritius. These measures mark a pivotal step forward in improving the well-being of families and protecting the rights of workers across the island nation.

• Extended Maternity and Paternity Leave. The budget extends maternity leave to 16 weeks, providing new mothers with additional time to recover and bond with their new borns. Fathers will also benefit from increased paternity leave, now set at four weeks.
• Maternity Allowance. Pregnant women entering their third trimester will receive a ‘maternity allowance’ of Rs 2,000 (USD 42.02) monthly for nine months, offering financial support during a critical period.
• Increased CSG Child Allowance. The budget increases the ‘CSG Child Allowance’ from Rs 2,000 (USD 42.02) to Rs 2,500 (USD 52.53) monthly for children aged 0 to 3 years, ensuring better support for young families.
• New CSG School Allowance. For children aged 3 to 10, the government has introduced a ‘CSG School Allowance’ of Rs 2,000 (USD 42.02) monthly, helping to alleviate the financial burden on families with school-going children.

In a significant victory for labour rights, the CMWEU and CTSP have successfully lobbied for enhanced protections for Mauritius' sizable migrant workforce, which includes over 35,820 foreign and 50,000 skilled migrant workers.

• Union Membership for All Migrant Workers. The budget allows all migrant workers, regardless of their work permit status, to join trade unions. This change enables migrant workers to seek recourse for labor rights violations through union representation.
• Protection Against Unilateral Repatriation. Employers can no longer repatriate migrant workers without the approval of a national authority, providing an added layer of security and due process for these workers.

Additionally, the budget introduces a corporate climate responsibility (CCR) levy for companies with turnovers exceeding Rs 50 million (USD 1,050,580). These companies will contribute 2 percent of their turnover to the newly established Climate and Sustainability Fund. The fund is designed to protect, manage, and restore Mauritius' natural ecosystem and address the effects of climate change.