Tourism Industry: 16% Wage Increase Proposed

This body also recommends a maternity allowance of Rs 3000, 12 weeks of maternity leave, a Death Grant of Rs 3500, six days special leave with pay when an employee the knot three days special leave with pay when the child of an employee marries, not less than two months of Vacation Leave for employees who have completed ten years of service, can get free before the age of 60 years on medical advice, allowance equivalent to three times the daily wage for employees who are required to work when a cyclone warning Class III and IV are in force, compensation in case of dismissal, regular medical check-up, double the daily wage for employees who are required to work during the first eight hours on a holiday, 72 hours of work per week for a security guard, ease of transportation or transportation allowance for employees whose place of residence is more than 3 km from the workplace , can accumulate sick leave up to 90 days, reducing the number of hours worked 48 to 45 hours are the main recommendations of the National Remuneration Board.

Before writing this report, the brains of the NRB descended on the field to see the small and large hotels. A total of 49 hotel properties in Mauritius and Rodrigues eight were consulted.

During these outings, the president of NRB, Woopendre Gungah accompanied by his assistants came to the conclusion that there is currently a problem with regard to the payment of overtime.

In the chapter on Overtime Payment, the NRB wrote in his report that "it was observed during the survey that there exists a major problem in the sector with regards to the computation and payment of overtime to employees. A malpractice was noted in many establishments where it was observed that employees performing duty on public holidays and who were supposed to be paid their normal hours of work plus overtime (two times basic rate for the number of hours of work), only received their normal day’s wage plus one time basis rate as overtime payment".

For NRB, some employers paying less than what was required by law regarding the payment of overtime. "However, it appears that some employers make an abuse by paying employees less than what is already prescribed" the NRB report recommending the passage that employers maintain accurate data of overtime worked by employees to the need for verification by inspectors of the Ministry of Labour and Industrial Relations.

The NRB is also concluded during the drafting of the report, a number of items are not covered.

This body recommends the creation of the following positions: Animal Keeper, Delivery Person, Guide, Kid's Club Hostess, Hairdresser and Spa Therapist. The NRB also recommends an hour for lunch and two tea breaks and Annual Leave 16 days.

Now that the NRB has made its recommendations, it is for employers and unions to make their proposals against-stressed at Matinal Tuesday, the president of NRB. They have until March 3 to do so. Once this exercise is completed, the NRB will submit its report to the Ministry of Labour and Industrial Relations for the final recommendations.