To The Hon Muhammad Reza Cassam UTEEM,  

Minister of Labour and Industrial Relations

Making it an established practice??

The payment of an end-of-year bonus representing one-twelfth of an employee’s salary to those employed both in government and in the private sector, has become a well-established practice during the last few decades in Mauritius.

At present putting into practice the promise of paying a 14th Monthly salary as publicly stated by the new Deputy Prime Minister at the “meeting de remerciements” of the Alliance du Changement on 17th November 2024, before the end of this present year, will necessitate the introduction of a new piece of legislation. Whether this new legislation will become an established practice as is the case for the payment of a 13th Month End-of-year bonus in Mauritius ( The end of year Gratuity act 2001) and for the payment of a 14th Month Bonus in a number of countries in Europe, such as Austria, Spain, Germany, Sweden… remains the prerogative of the new government. In European countries 14th month bonus is paid in June/July mid-year.  This 14^th month bonus will increase the revenue of the government under ‘Value Added Tax’ estimated for 2023/2024 about 104 billion rupees.

But for us trade unionists, such a law should become an established practice even if the payment is differed, as it is the practice in a number of European countries. These extra payments aim to help employees cope with the additional expenses during the Christmas and new year period as well as allow them to cater for the needs of their children and preparing them for the new terms of the new year schooling.

As the Workers’ Rights Act as amended stands now, the Minister can make an addendum with a proviso to legalize the payment of a 14th Month bonus to workers and make the pre-electoral promise a post-electoral reality to the satisfaction of the whole aLEPEP ADMIRAB of Mauritius.

Suttyhudeo Tengur

Negotiator GHTU

2 December 2024