Mauritius - Equal Opportunities Commission: Guidelines for Employers Come into Force Today

Guidelines which aim at enlightening employers on ways and means to prevent discrimination at work and achieve equality of opportunities in the field of employment were launched this morning by the Chairperson of the EOC, Mr Brian Glover, at the headquarters of the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) in Port Louis. The guidelines come into effect as from 15 April 2013.

The launching ceremony was held in the presence of members of the Commission, Mr Shameer Mohuddy, Ms Danisha Sornum and Dr Rajayswur Bhowon. Were also present: the representative of the Mauritius Employers’ Federation, Mr Pradeep Dursun; the president of the Government Servants Employees Association, Mr Radhakrishna Sadien; and the Director, Human Resource Management, Ministry of Civil Service and Administrative Reforms, Mr Abdool Kader Lotun.

Mr Glover pointed out that these guidelines which are issued under section 27 (3)(f) of the Equal Opportunities Act have been prepared with a view to assist employers from both the public and private sectors with regard to the implementation of the Equal Opportunities Policy which should be ready by 31 July 2013.

Section 9 of the Act provides that every employer needs to draw up and apply an equal opportunity policy of work with a view to mitigating risks of discrimination and promoting recruitment, training, selection and employment on the basis of merit. These guidelines outline various aspects that have to be taken into account by the employer while drafting the equal opportunity policy, the Chairperson said.  He recalled that the guidelines help employers to promote recruitment, training, selection and employment on the basis of merit in relation to the employees or prospective employees.

According to Mr Glover, the equal opportunities policy is a very important document geared towards reinforcing social dialogue, fostering transparency and making the employer more accountable to its employees. A citizen who is not well informed is completely isolated from the decision-making process, he said.

Referring to latest statistics Mr Glover said that as at date, 580 cases have been lodged, out of which 380 are being tackled. Among cases received, 43% did not fall within the mandate of the EOC, now only 30 % of cases lodged do not fall within the purview of the Commission, he said. Around 22% of cases deal with ethnic origin and 40% with political opinion and communalism.

The Chairperson recalled the Commission’s participation in the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination where it made a positive impact. With regard to the conference which the Commission will organise in September 2013, an essay competition for Form 6 students on the theme ‘Whether Equal Opportunities is a myth or a reality?’ has been launched. Furthermore, a painting competition on the notion of nation-building has also been organised for public and private primary schools.