The figures speak for themselves: in August 2013, there were 37,656 foreign workers against 37,612 job seekers, including 17,125 were unemployed. Of these 37,656 foreign workers, 11,406 were workers whose contract has been renewed. This foreign labor, mainly originating from Bangladesh, India and China are concentrated in the manufacturing and construction sector.
An increasing number of foreign workers is often synonymous with acquiring new expertise, contribution to gross domestic product (GDP) and productivity. Mauritius, the interest for foreign labor is justified primarily by a lack of skilled workers.
Misperception
Tayelamay Jessen, Managing Director of Tayelamay Group, which operates in the field of construction, underlines this fact. " The construction trades are very difficult and demanding. Unfortunately we are facing a big concern at the workforce. There is also an exodus of young people in this area , "he says.
Opinion shared by Deepak Parikh, General Manager FM Denim textile operator employing around 250 expatriates. " There is a lack of local skilled labor. We operate on a 24/7. This often discourages Mauritians because of family commitments. We find ourselves in need to employ foreign workers for the proper functioning of our operations , "does it come out.
Jessen Tayelamay abounds in the same direction. There is a misperception that the construction sector is a poorly paid. " The trades in the construction industry are highly paid. A mason earns about Rs 1000 per day. Foreign labor is better paid precisely because of disinterestedness Mauritians for this sector. This is expensive for us we have to deal with the airfare and accommodation for expatriates , "he argues.
The solution to upgrade employment in these areas neglected by the unemployed through training. An axis is working on the Ministry of Labour is considering training options for young people in these areas with a compensation to the key ( Paid Training ). Negotiations for this project have already begun between the Ministry of Labour and various institutions both public and private education.
Mauritians often shun employment in industries such as textiles, pointed out, for his part, the Minister of Labour, Shakeel Mohamed. There has prejudices which we must get rid, he insists.
For Deepak Parikh, Mauritian and foreign workers complement. " There are certain operations that expatriates have more control and vice versa. We try to balance our productivity by recruiting equally the local workforce and foreign , "he says.
Radhakrishna Sadien, Chairperson of the National Economic and Social Council (NESC) - which will publish a report on unemployment in Mauritius in late October - is of the same opinion: we must find a balance between local and foreign workers. " Foreign workers are there to fill a void that Mauritians are unable to fill. It also requires that labor Mauritian acquire the expertise needed to fill the void expatriates leave at the end of their contract , "he said.
Regarding employment of senior executives where there is a strong presence of expatriates, Radhakrishna Sadien insists that they must, while exercising their functions, training Mauritians to take over. This is also a requirement of the Ministry of Labour before the recruitment of expatriates for white collar jobs, says Preeyadarshanee Dassyne, Assistant Permanent Secretary at the Ministry. The use of foreign labor is a necessary evil for the economy.
Circular migration: 214 million people affected
Circular migration is an inherent reality of globalization. According to data from the International Labour Organization, approximately 214 million people were affected by this phenomenon in 2010.