No to the Rs 52 500 that the government proposes. It is in this context that about fifty fishermen demonstrated this Friday, November 5 in front of the premises of the Ministry of Fisheries, in Port-Louis. According to them, this sum is derisory and does not reflect reality.
For Tony Apollon, the spokesman for the demonstrators, this sum represents about 10 months of allowance for the ‘Bad Weather Condition’, and 5 months of minimum salary.
He asked whether ministers or MPs would have accepted such a sum when they retired.
Tony Apollon also relied on the fact that the government had given an allowance of Rs 200,000 to those who extract sand and seine fishermen. Who as a reminder received the same amount.
Tony Apollon also came back to the Rs135,000 that the authorities promised to the fishermen of the South East after the oil spill caused by the sinking of the MV Wakashio.
The other speakers at this event all spoke along the same lines. With placards in hand, the demonstrators demanded explanations from the authorities, and asked for the resignation of the minister in charge.
Several personalities from the political world were eager to support this demonstration, we note the presence of Fabrice David, Arianne Navarre Marie, Richard Duval, Bruneau Laurette or Ivan Bibi.
The organizers said that other demonstrations of this kind will be held regularly to put pressure on the authorities.
The government has decided to introduce this Lump Sum of Rs52,500 to fishermen after they have returned their business card.
