The Minister of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment Hon. Jean-François Chaumière undertook a visit at Princes’ Tuna Mauritius (PTM) factory at Riche Terre, today 25th March 2010. Minister Chaumière had the opportunity to visit various plants of the factory, including the cold room, canning and packing. He also discussed with employees at different levels. Minister Chaumière was thus able to gauge the state of industrial relations in the company, as well as the various health and safety measures taken there. He was accompanied in his tour of the factory by the managing director Evert Liewes and officials of the Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment.
Today’s event was also the opportunity for Princes Tuna Mauritius to receive SA (Social Accountability) 8000 certification from SGS. The company is therefore the first tuna processing plant in the world to receive this type of certification. SA 8000 therefore demonstrates the company’s commitment to promoting the elimination of discrimination, collective bargaining and sound working conditions in general. These issues are a matter of great importance to Minister Chaumière who said so to management and employees, as he proceeded to handing over the SA 8000 certificate to PTM. In his address, Minister Chaumière highlighted the new measures incorporated in the Employment Relations and Employment Rights Acts, which seemed to have been applied by PTM in advance. He also made an appeal to employees to take their share of responsibility in maintaining optimal work conditions by making the company aware of anything they deem inadequate and by keeping to the core principle of social dialogue which has prevailed in the company for numerous years.
MD Evert Liewes and workers’ representative Lall Dewnath (Artisans and General Workers Union) also addressed the workers. They were both also keen to underline the excellent partnership that exists between the management and the workers.
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