The Minister underlined that according to the report, the NMW has positively impacted on the lives of low-income families as well as on the economy of the country. He recalled that the NWCC was mandated to do an impact assessment on the implementation of the NMW in January 2018. The report, he said, is based on information and data from the Statistics Mauritius, the Mauritius Revenue Authority, and different relevant authorities and institutions.

The results of the report, he indicated shows the commitment of the Government to protect workers at the lower rung of the social ladder so as to improving their standard of living and also to enable them lead a decent life. The report takes into consideration the impact of the NMW on economic growth, wealth and income distribution, wage ratio, employment, and compliance.

As regards the rate of employment, the Minister said that there is an increase in the employment rate from 545 100 workers in 2017 to 546 500 workers in 2018, that is a total of 1400 jobs. He further observed that contributions made to National Pension Fund increased from 290 368 in December 2017 to 313 778 as at June 2018. He also pointed out that there has been an increase in the evolution of salary distribution and a decrease in income inequality thus reducing the gap of inequality between the rich and the poor.

Speaking on the cases of non-compliance as regards the implementation of NMW, Minister Callichurn said that the rate stands at 10.9 % while adding that the figure stands at around 30% in other countries across the world where the National Minimum Wage has been implemented. Nevertheless, he reassured the population that the Government is taking all necessary actions to ensure full compliance with the NMW.

The Minister also announced that a technical committee has been set up to analyse problems and non-compliance mentioned in the report and to come up with recommendations.

In her address, the Minister, recalled that Government introduced the Special Education Needs (SEN) Authority Bill last year in the National Assembly with the objective of setting up of a SEN Authority that would cater for the needs of children with disabilities and provide for a new institutional framework to encourage their holistic development. The main purpose of setting up the authority is to promote an inclusive and equitable education system in the country and be in line with the Sustainable Development Goal 4, she underlined.

Currently, Mrs Dookun-Luchoomun emphasised, some 41 Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and 63 schools providing special care, are working towards securing the welfare and the rights to education of some 2056 children with special education needs. On this note, she stressed the relevance of the SENA which will work in collaboration with these institutions to facilitate an inclusive learning environment and devise a quality assurance framework for SEN.

The Minister highlighted that the setting up of SENA is not to be considered as a means to separate children with special education needs from those benefiting from mainstream education. Inclusion in the long run should be achieved as a step by step process by providing special care and attention and this will be best done with the guidance of the SENA, she added.

Furthermore, she expressed satisfaction with regard to the meeting and highlighted that the SENA members will be expected to work as a team towards achieving a common objective. She also called for a synergy among parents, NGOs and SENA to better respond to the requirements of children with special education needs.

For her part, the Chairperson of the SENA, Mrs Savritree Oogarah, underscored that the Board has the keen determination to improving the education of the children with special education needs. She emphasised that with the expertise and experience of its members, SENA will be able to come forward with an effective action plan and spearhead appropriate programmes for children with special education needs.

The one-day event was organised in the context of the SADC Trade Related Facility (TRF) by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade in collaboration with the Economic Development Board (EDB) and the Mauritius Export Association (MEXA).  It provided a platform for Mauritian businesses to take stock of the findings of a market intelligence analysis undertaken in seven SADC Member States in collaboration with the EDB.  The objective was to identify the export potential for Mauritian products on the SADC market. 

Discussions during the workshop enabled participants to consider the main outcomes of a feasibility study on the development of an E-commerce platform for the manufacturing sector in Mauritius which has been undertaken jointly with MEXA.

The SADC TRF is a mechanism established through a Contribution Agreement between the European Union and SADC for financial and technical support to SADC Member States.  Mauritius is benefitting from a financial package of EUR 1.4 million to implement projects of national interest over a period of two years.

The findings of the study were presented, yesterday, during a half-day workshop, at the seat of the MRC in Ebène. The event was organised by the MRC in the context of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science celebrated annually on 11th February. The Chairman of MRC, Dr M. Atchia, the High Commissioner of Australia in Mauritius, Mrs Jenny Dee and other personalities were present at the event.  The resource persons were the Research Coordinator of MRC, Dr M. Madhou, and President of Organisation of Women in Science in the Developing World (OWSD) Mauritius Chapter, Dr D. Saddul.

The study indicates that less than 30% of researchers worldwide are women and in Mauritius only 15% of women reach out to the MRC to benefit from the schemes put in place for conducting researchers.  It covers the period 2013-2018 and analyses the involvement of girls and women in STEM from secondary education to tertiary education as well as their participation and success rates in Research and Development at professional level. The findings also identify gender variations in career/professional aspirations of STEM students and obstacles met by women pursuing STEM doctoral studies.

According to High Commissioner Dee, STEM literacy is increasingly becoming part of the core capabilities that employers need, no matter what the sector of employment. Women can make a significant difference to the betterment of the economy as well as the society as they represent around 50 per cent of a nation’s population. A nation that does not harness and utilise the talents, skills, perspectives, insights and intelligence of its population will never reach its full potential, she said.

She further added that STEM is not just about equity, but it is about proven economic sense.  She encouraged female students to break down gender barriers and to opt for STEM subjects at the secondary and tertiary level.

On that occasion, a presentation was made on the OWSD Mauritius Chapter. It aims to support actions for science promotion among women, youth and the community at large in Mauritius. The OWSD, founded in 1987, is the first international forum to unite eminent women scientists from the developing and developed worlds with the objective of strengthening their role in the development process and promoting their representation in scientific and technological leadership. OWSD provides research training, career development and networking opportunities for women scientists throughout the developing world at different stages in their careers.

The Prime Minister, Minister of Home Affairs, External Communications and National Development Unit, Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Mr Pravind Jugnauth, made this statement, yesterday, at the inauguration of the Plaine Magnien Market Fair, in Plaine Magnien.

In his address, the Prime Minister highlighted that the new market fair, to the tune of some Rs 13 million, and comprising a large parking space, will provide additional facilities to vendors and buyers of the locality. The available space can also be used for other purposes, following approval from the District Council, he added.

He further pointed out that this type of project is being undertaken in several localities around the island and, in Budget 2018-2019, more than Rs 2.2 billion have been allocated for National Development Unit and Local Government projects. Some of these projects, Mr Jugnauth outlined, include a new market fair and commercial complex at Rose Hill; the construction of multipurpose complexes at several places; the construction and upgrading of secondary roads and jogging tracks; and the upgrading and renovation of village and municipal halls.

The Prime Minister reiterated Government’s focus on infrastructure works and socio-economic projects so as to further transform Mauritius into a modern country. Development must continue to take place throughout the island and Mauritius should be a beacon for other countries, he stated.