Free Trade Zone: Shadow still Threatens Operation

10 years, 9 months ago - June 20, 2013
Free Trade Zone: Shadow still Threatens Operation
Since the creation of the free trade zone in the 70s, a lot of things have changed. 9 factories employing some 600 people, there are now 300 companies which operate about 60,000 workers whose 15,000 are foreigners.

Working conditions have changed as well as living conditions. But it is far from optimal conditions desired and many improvements are needed, because the exploitation of workers is still valid while some laws need to be revised.

Launched initially to reduce imports, the EPZ has in recent years allowed Maurice to become a major exporter of textiles in the 80s. Throughout its history, the free zone has undergone various changes. To optimize businesses, foreign workers were invited to make a living in the textile mills. This is how the workers begin to come to work in the free zone gradually. In 1995, with the creation of the World Trade Organization, there has been a boom. First, it is the Chinese workers who are the most interested, especially women. Subsequently, Indians, Bangladeshis, Nepalese and other Malagasy follow suit. If today Mauritians working in the free zone better accept the presence of foreign workers, this has not always been the case. "Previously Mauritians were afraid that foreign workers come to steal their job," said Ehshan Nauzeer a responsible employee in a subsidiary in Curepipe Mauritius Textile Company.

Working conditions.

Encountered in the same plant, Bangladeshi workers argue that working conditions and housing are good. "We are treated well, we want to continue working here. We have heard of Mauritius through people who had worked here. In Bangladesh we won the equivalent of Rs 1,200 per month, here you can earn Rs 7000 to Rs 9000, "says Jamal Uddin. Mahmuda abounds in the same direction. "We have a good situation here, our leaders are friendly with us. We can not complain. "Note that since 2009, the Export Processing Zone Labour Welfare Fund provided a Death allowance payable by the employer in case of death in service of a foreign worker.

Two Malagasy workers say they are more or less satisfied with their working conditions. However an employee reveals they are not entitled to public holidays. "We have to work on days of public holidays, whether for Labor Day or the abolition of slavery." She even understand it notes some favoritism from his boss to screw -vis some other nationalities. "My boss protects those of the community, if they make serious mistakes, they are not punished as severely as the rest of us."

According to the union, all foreign workers do not have the chance to have good working conditions. "Often, workers in the EPZ are exploited. The patterns suggest that Mauritians are lazy compared to foreigners ", says Jane Ragoo of the Confederation of Private Sector Workers.

Fear of being unionized.

While some employers may still use their employees in the sector, it is also because the number of unionized employees is minimal. According to the union, 3-5% of workers are unionized EPZ only. However, they argue that 20 to 25% have regular contact with the unions. A percentage they deem inadequate. "The workers are still afraid to unionize, they fear this because they think the bosses would send first if there was a contraction of the workforce. However, once they have a problem, they come knocking on the doors of trade unions. This fear of being unionized must not exist. There are still factories where unions do not have the right to enter Mauritius. I ask all plants open the door for unions. There may be some workers who suffer in silence, "said Ally Fayzal Beegun the Textile Manufacturing and Allied Industries Workers Union.

Outdated laws.

Concerning the laws governing workers free zone, Jane Ragoo contends are at least inadequate and outdated. "The law governing the free zone or EPZ Remuneration Order, in 1984. This law is reviewed when a Labour Minister decides. It's been 25 years since she has not been reviewed. This explains why base salaries are around Rs 5000. This is absurd, since according to the authorities, the Poverty Line is Rs 6200. Is it normal that since 1984, no one has reviewed this law? The worst thing is that according to her, the worker must undergo 55 hours of work per week. This figure includes 10 hours of mandatory overtime. This is the most discriminatory law that exists in the country, it's downright operation. More importantly, since 2009, employers have the right to return the workers when they want, without compensation and without justification. "

Fault.

Among the improvements that unions have been able to provide, we note the Lodging and Accommodations Regulation, designed to protect foreign workers by providing them with decent living conditions. However, according Reeaz Chuttoo, this law has a loophole. "When we, unionists, see the non-compliance with this law, we do not have the right to establish a dispute with the employer. Everything that the law allows us to do is to report the case to the Ministry of Labour, in turn, will make a site visit. Where the rub is that the department does that serve a breach of the employer. On the other hand, in the case of non-compliance with hygiene standards, it falls under the Ministry of Health. If the employer uses a hazardous chemical to the health of a worker, we must refer the case to the Department of Health will make a site visit. If we want to continue, we can not do under the labor laws, but in a civil context. "

 

Text by Le Mauricien

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