National Wage Consultative Council Bill voted

The National Wage Consultative Council Bill was voted at the National Assembly on Thursday. The Bill plans for the establishment of a council which will be in charge to make recommendations on the minimum wage. The board will also define the quantum of the annual salary compensation. The Board will comprise of a Chairman, a Financial Secretary and a representative of the Prime Minister’s Office. The Ministries of Labour, Agro-Industry, Business, Industry and Tourism will each have a representative. Among other members: the Chairman of the National Remuneration Board (NRB), the Director of the Pay Research Bureau (PRB) and a representative of Statistics Mauritius. Seven members will represent employers and seven trade unions. During his summing-up at the National Assembly, the Minister of Labour Soodesh Callichurn uttered that there is a general consensus for the introduction of a minimum wage and trade unions and employers are also favourable to the bill. Minister Callichurn responded to concerns raised by members of the opposition on this bill. He said that the Chairman of the National Wage Consultative Council should be neutral and that procedures for the recruitment will be done through an open advertisement.