A series of private and public meetings will be chaired by the Prime Minister in preparation for the next budget. To mark this kick-off, the floor was given to two elements vital to the country’s economic and social development, namely the trade union leaders to share their grievances, concerns and proposals, as well as to 10 representatives of small and medium enterprises (SMEs). These consultation and proposal sessions are open to all.
Goals 2022-2023
The 2022-2023 budget will aim to consolidate the economic recovery and accelerate Mauritius’ transition to a sustainable and inclusive economy while maintaining fiscal stability. It also aims to strengthen the resilience of the economy to face new challenges such as the resurgence of the Omicron variant and the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine that are impacting our economy and country.
List of grievances
The trade union leaders focused their grievances and demands on the new high cost of living and its effect on the working class consumer. They also discussed the following points: price controls on foodstuffs, building materials and medicines, reduction of VAT on several products, fairer taxation and increasing local food production to enable the country to achieve food security.
They also made proposals to improve the working conditions of women and migrant workers, the deterioration of moral values, violence and reducing the effects of climate change. The union leaders took the opportunity to remind the Minister that their suggestions in the previous budget were not taken into consideration to the extent they had hoped and that they would expect better for this 2022-2023 budget.
On Thursday 24, at the Ministry of Finance, Government House, Dr Renganaden Padayachy, Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Development, welcomed Reaz Chuttoo of the Confederation of Public and Private Sector Workers (CTSP), Radhakrishna Sadien, President of the State and Other Employees Federation (SOEF), Deepak Benydin of the Federation of Parastatal Bodies and Other Union (FPBOU), Jean Bruneau Dorasami, union leader of the All Civil Service and Other Employees Federation, and Haniff Peerun of the Mauritius Labour Congress (MLC).
SMEs – To help small producers
The discussion with the 10 SME representatives focused on the repercussions of Covid 19, the still weak tourism, the impact of the war between Russia and Ukraine on Mauritius, the depreciation of the rupee which is causing a loss of 3 billion euros but also recovery initiatives. The President of the Federation of SMEs, Amar Deerpalsing, proposed extending the moratorium on loan repayments, tackling rising freight costs and creating industrial estates. He called for various aids to support the SME sector, a pillar of the economy which he said provides one in two jobs and contributes 40% of the GDP, or 150 billion rupees annually.
Open to all
The Commerce Ministry’s invitation, issued in early March, is open to all business and trade associations, professional bodies, trade unions, non-governmental organisations, civil society organisations, other stakeholders and the general public to make proposals. As proposals by post will close on Friday 25 March, parties can submit their proposals at www.mauritiusbudget.com
