Décisions du Conseil des Ministres du 28 Juin 2019

Les membres du Cabinet ont pris note que le gouvernement va introduire le Constitution (Amendment) Bill and the Political Financing Bill au Parlement, des recommendations du National Remuneration Board pour les Security Guard (Remuneration Order) Regulations qui sera remplacé par une Private Security Services Employees Remuneration Regulations, de la signature d’un accord signé entre le Mauritius Multisports Infrastructure Ltd et Liverpool Football Club and Athletics Grounds Ltd pour mettre sur pied une academie de football entre autres.

1. Cabinet has agreed to the early introduction of the Constitution (Amendment) Bill and the Political Financing Bill into the National Assembly. The object of the Constitution (Amendment) Bill is to amend the Constitution to provide additional powers and functions to the Electoral Supervisory Commission and the Electoral Commissioner relating to political financing.

The object of the Political Financing Bill is to provide for accountability and transparency with regard to the financing of political parties, independent members of the National Assembly and independent candidates nominated to stand as such at a general election, with a view to preventing undue influence and corruption. The Bill further provides for widening the functions and powers of the Electoral Supervisory Commission and the Electoral Commissioner for the better regulation of political financing. Opportunity is being taken to amend the Representation of the People Act so as to provide for matters related thereto.

2. Cabinet has taken note of the recommendations of the National Remuneration Board to replace the Security Guard (Remuneration Order) Regulations by a Private Security Services Employees Remuneration Regulations and to review the terms and conditions of workers employed in the sector and has agreed to the new Remuneration Regulations being promulgated.

3. Cabinet has taken note that an Agreement has been signed between the Mauritius Multisports Infrastructure Ltd and Liverpool Football Club and Athletics Grounds Ltd (LFC) for the setting up of an International Football Academy Soccer School at Côte d’Or, as announced in Budget Speech 2019/2020. The Football Academy would cater for football training as an academic programme targeted for youth and children of all regions of Mauritius based exactly on the same curriculum and coaching programme run at LFC. The key objectives of the project are to :

(a) implement a long term and sustainable development plan for football in Mauritius;

(b) encourage and increase the participation level in football at all ages and across gender; and

(c) provide potential football players in Mauritius an aspirational pathway for a professional football career.

4. Cabinet has taken note that the 11th Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA) Scientific Symposium would be held in Mauritius from 1 to 6 July 2019 at the University of Mauritius. The theme of the Symposium would be “People, Coasts and Oceans: Opportunities for a changing future”. The main objective of the Symposium would be to showcase innovative solutions for addressing the challenges facing coastal communities, policy makers, management authorities and the private sector in the Western Indian Ocean. Participants would engage in discussions on how information generated from their activities could assist countries of the region to advance their commitment and cooperation towards achieving SDG 14 on “Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development”. Some 500 participants from various countries, including marine scientists, managers and academics would attend the Symposium.

5. Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of the 2nd Ministerial Conference on Maritime Security and the 22nd Plenary Session of the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia, held recently in Mauritius. Some 200 representatives from 30 countries and 23 organisations participated in the meetings. The Ministerial Conference adopted the Maritime Security Declaration which contains 55 recommendations, inter alia, calling for an enhanced coordination of the 31 different initiatives aimed at combatting piracy, drug, human and arms trafficking, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, money laundering, terrorism and pollution. The Conference also took stock of the progress made since the convening of the first Ministerial Conference on Maritime Security held in April 2018.

During the Conference, the Indian Ocean Commission signed two Memoranda of Understanding with the Union of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of the Indian Ocean and the Association of the Ports of the Indian Ocean, respectively. The Memoranda would enable the private sector to collaborate in improving maritime security in the region and more importantly to ensure that the port authorities are fully involved in the regional architecture for maritime security.

During the 22nd Plenary Session of the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia (CGPCS), the meeting, inter alia, appealed to the EU Naval Force (EUNAVFOR), the Combined Maritime Forces and independent deployers to maintain their presence off the Coast of Somalia to prevent resurgence of piracy and related crimes and agreed to the proposal of the USA to establish a Steering Committee to look into a strategic plan for the CGPCS.

6. Cabinet has taken note of the medical arrangements that have been made by the Ministry of Health and Quality of Life to assist Hadj pilgrims who would proceed to Saudi Arabia as from 23 July 2019. Vaccination against meningitis with vaccine ACYW 135 would be carried out free of charge in all regional hospitals on 6 July 2019. The medical examination of the Hadj pilgrims would be carried out in Area Health Centres and Community Health Centres nearest to their place of residence. Pilgrims would also be advised to attend the health institution nearest to their residence ten days before 6 July 2019 in order to take advantage of anti-influenza vaccination.

7. Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of the recent mission of the Minister of Labour, Industrial Relations, Employment and Training to Switzerland where he participated in the 108th Session of the International Labour Conference and the Centenary of the International Labour Organization (ILO). During his intervention, Mr Guy Ryder, Director General, ILO stated that, since its foundation in 1919, the ILO has as mandate the promotion of international peace and social justice and with a view to better protecting the fundamental principles and rights of the workers, the ILO has come forward with a number of Conventions and Recommendations, many of which have already been ratified and adopted by Member States.

The Director General also presented the report of the Global Commission on the Future of Work entitled “Work for a Brighter Future” which was subject for discussion by Member states. In order to better address this issue, violence and harassment in the World of Work, the ILO has prepared a draft Convention and Recommendation which was adopted by a large majority of the tripartite constituents.

The Minister deposited the ratification instrument regarding the ILO Maternity Protection Convention, 2000 (No. 183) with the Director General, ILO to further demonstrate the determination and commitment of Mauritius thereto.