It gives me great pleasure to be among you this afternoon on the occasion of the AGM and half-day sensitization programme organised by the Government Professional Engineers’ Association.
I am informed that the Government Professional Engineers’ Association groups engineers from several Ministries, and that, this afternoon, in addition to its AGM, your association has sought it important to conduct a sensitization programme for your members on the provisions of the Employment Relations Act which is effective as from February last year. This initiative is in line with what I am always saying with regards to this new labour legislation: that all stakeholders, including the trade unions and other professional associations, must make it their responsibility to inform their members of the main provisions of the new labour laws, as well as of other legal instruments relating to the world of work.
As professionals and also as members of a union, you should also be aware that, in addition to reforms in our labour legislation, the government has also initiated a series of economic, social and institutional reforms with the overall aim of improving the quality of life of every citizen in this country. Many of these reforms that have challenged the comfort of traditional and outdated practices and expectations, have now revealed themselves as being necessary and instrumental in order to better respond to the on-going challenges.
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Most of the economic and social indicators have shown that the government was always right in coming up with enabling and bold measures in time through successive budgets since we took office in 2005. We have been able not only to address the serious and catastrophic economic situation we had inherited, but we have also been able to mitigate the impact of the world economic and financial crisis with some success.
Today, the whole of the Island has become a construction site – thanks to the numerous and countless projects this government has initiated with regards to public infrastructure, government buildings, roads – without mentioning such massive projects like the new airport terminals, Jing Fe, in addition to the development in the tourism and IRS sectors, etc…
The Government of Mauritius needs and employs different kinds of Engineers including civil, environmental, mechanical, electrical, chemical, agriculture and computer engineers. I am sure that all Engineers here have noted the concern of our Honorable Prime Minister Dr. Navinchandra Ramgoolam last year in relation to the scarcity of Engineers in the country and where friendly countries like India was reluctant to release their Engineers because they themselves were in need. If we speak of scarcity of engineers in Mauritius, it must be related to the unprecedented boom in the construction and infrastructural sectors thanks to the measures taken by this government.
It is generally known that Engineers have primarily been the spearhead to develop ways to utilize economically the materials and forces of nature for the benefit of mankind. On the one hand the invention of new manufacturing-processes has allowed economic output at the lowest possible cost and on the other hand, it has contributed to render work more human. Furthermore, there have been considerable improvements in other spheres through new technologies which have rendered our life more comfortable.
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Engineers play a crucial role in creating infrastructure in the world. Engineers are problem solvers who apply their knowledge and experience to building projects that meet human needs, and to cleaning up environmental problems. Engineers design equipment and machines and ensure that safety norms and standards are incorporated therein. They work on a wide range of issues and projects, and as a result, Engineers’ work can have a significant impact on progress towards sustainable development.
I believe that Engineers in the Public Service need to be sensitized in a very important concept known as Decent Work, which sums up the aspirations of people in their working lives. It involves opportunities for work that is productive, freely chosen and delivers a fair income, security and safety in the workplace and social protection for the worker and his/her family, better prospects for personal development and social integration, freedom for people to express their concerns, organize and participate in the decisions that affect their lives and equality of opportunity and treatment for all women and men. The Decent Work Concept was, as you may all know, first expressed and formally mentioned by the International Labour Organisation Director-General, Juan Somavia, in his Report to the ILO in 1999.
At the level of my own Ministry, we have not only spearheaded the ratification of the Eight ILO Fundamental Conventions and but also ensured that all our Labour Laws are in compliance with these fundamental Conventions – which are of direct relevance to Decent Work principles.
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Another fundamental issue that we have to address in the context of Decent Work agenda is Occupational Safety and Health. Engineers need not be reminded that the question of Occupational Safety and Health must always remain a priority in their day-to-day activities. Changes in society, work organization and production methods are leading to new types of occupational risks that demand new measures and solutions. The World of Work is changing rapidly and work-related health issues are changing too. It is under this background, that on 1st September 2007, a new Occupational Safety and Health Act came into effect. The primary objectives of this new legislation are to further strengthen and broaden the legal framework on safety, health and the welfare of employees at work – both in the private sector and the public sector as well. The provision of decent work at the workplace ranks high on the agenda of the Government, and of my Ministry in particular.
The government’s commitment and determination to reform the outdated industrial relations framework has been translated in the adoption of the Employment Relations Act and the Employment Rights Act – having as primary objectives to strengthen dialogue with Social Partners, to better protect workers and to promote effective Collective-Bargaining. One prominent feature of the Employment Relations Act is the effective recognition of the right to Collective-Bargaining which remains the Trade Unions most important function. This legislation sets out the conditions for harmonious development of Collective-Bargaining and for a conflict-free workplace. Barriers to good faith Collective-Bargaining such as union access to the workplace, access to information, recognition and time-off facilities have been addressed in the Employment Relations Act. Other provisions deal specifically with the responsibility of management as well as with such issues as Procedural Agreements in order to facilitate effective Collective Bargaining. Several other provisions deal extensively with trade unions and workers rights as well.
As I have said earlier, it is up to the trade unions to ensure that they have a good grasp not only of all the provisions of the Employment Relations Act, but also of the role and functions of the numerous tripartite structures that have already been set-up – such as the Commission for Conciliation and Mediation, Employment Relations Tribunal, amongst others.
I must say that I fully agree with the main objectives of the Government Professional Engineers’ Association, which are to promote social dialogue and sound relations and to resort to conciliatory methods to settle disputes between members and their employers and between members and other workers.
I fully subscribe to this method of resolving industrial dispute as it allows the parties involved to meet, sort out misunderstandings, explore options and arrive at a mutually beneficial solution. Consequently, those involved in the process of resolving their differences through Conciliation and Mediation are far more likely to strengthen their relations for mutual benefits. I also wish to assure you of my unconditional support in the process of resolving any industrial dispute.
By way of conclusion, and coming back to your role as engineers – let me say that you have, no doubt, contributed immensely in improving the quality of life of our population. I need not elaborate on the many accomplishments and achievements that can be attributed to engineers. However, I believe that, irrespective of the fields you cater for, as engineers, your concern should also focus on such issues pertaining to sustainable development and to such project as Maurice-Ile- Durable. In this regard, you must consider yourselves as privileged partners in addressing the objectives of the government on these issues. You, as engineers must play a decisive role not only in the promotion but also in contributing to make the concept Maurice-Ile- Durable a reality.
I again take the opportunity to congratulate the Association for their initiative and wish its members my best wishes in their endeavor.
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