On the sidelines of pension reform: Platform Komin Sindikal anticipates growing unease within the GM

Trade unionists salute the courage of the former Junior Minister, Sydney Pierre, who voted against the dismantling of the pension system in the Finance Bill

LaPlatform Komin Sindikal believes that the dismissal of Sydney Pierre from his post as Junior Minister of Tourism risks causing growing unease within the government. She now expects the leader of the New Democrats (ND), Kushal Lobine, to also take measures against the parliamentarians of his party who voted in favor of the reform of the pension system, even though he had publicly affirmed that he would have voted against if he had sat in the National Assembly last Friday.

During a press conference held on Monday in Port-Louis, the leaders of the union platform took stock of their mobilization against the reform of the Basic Retirement Pension (BRP) and announced the continuation of their awareness campaign across the country.

The president of the Mauritius Labor Congress, Haniff Peerun, declared that the mobilization will continue in order to alert the population to what he considers to be “the danger that this government represents for democracy”. “We invite citizens to question their representatives on the ground about the reform of the pension system. I congratulate Sydney Pierre for his political courage. He had the courage to oppose his party's line and voted in favor of the people. What about the opposition MPs who abstained? Some claimed to be on the side of the people. The people will judge them. Now what will Kushal Lobine do? The deputies of his party voted for this reform. Will he act like Navin Ramgoolam did with Sydney Pierre? If he is truly sincere, we expect him to make the necessary decisions,” he makes clear.

As for the president of the General Workers Federation, Clency Bibi, he declared: “We insisted that there be a Division of votes. This made it possible to know who practices doublespeak. In my opinion, unease will continue to affect the government after Sydney Pierre's vote. »

The general secretary of the Confederation of Public and Private Sector Workers, Jane Ragoo, also welcomed Sydney Pierre's position, recalling that the platform had sent a letter to all parliamentarians proposing financing alternatives based on an increased contribution from large companies. “I am convinced that Sydney Pierre has found opportunities. answers in this letter. It is regrettable that parliamentarians who were alongside us ultimately voted for this reform. What's next? We will continue mobilizations in several regions of the country,” declared the trade unionist.

Jane Ragoo paid tribute to activist Malina, arrested on Sunday, during her sit-in