Social welfare: Minister Daureeawoo makes an overview of achievements for year 2016

The Minister of Social Security, National Solidarity and Reform Institutions, Mrs Fazila Jeewa-Daureeawoo, held a press conference on 16 December 2016 at the seat of the Ministry, in Port-Louis, to speak of the achievements of her ministry for this year.    

The Minister of Social Security, National Solidarity and Reform Institutions, made an overview of the initiatives and projects undertaken by the Ministry to enhance the welfare of the vulnerable groups, aligned with government’s mission of improving the life of the population.

She pointed out that the Ministry was allocated a budget of Rs 21 m to execute key projects. Several measures have been undertaken with the aim of boosting the various services, including Disability Watch, Non-governmental Organisations, Elderly Watch, Rehabilitation Youth Centre (RYC). These concern provision of materials to disabled persons, increased allocation to victims of fire, funeral allocation. Coupled with that, the Protection Elderly Act has been amended to reinforce protection of elders. Also, NGOs representatives have undergone trainings offered by the Government with the aim of professionalising the social sector. 

Mrs Jeewa-Daureeawoo also underscored Government’s efforts to create an inclusive and accessible society for everyone. Several measures with the collaboration of different ministries are underway. She pointed out to the current negotiations with the Ministry of Public Infrastructure and Land Transport to set in place rules for new buildings to accommodate disabled persons and the possibility of having low-floor buses. She also referred to the pension now being allocated to children below 15 years old and suffering from 60% disability. Such measures, underlined the Minister, are essential to curb the injustices being afflicted to vulnerable persons. Also on the agenda is a Disability Bill for the rights of disabled persons has already been drafted and will be effective by 2017. 

The Minister also mentioned forthcoming projects which include: a major reform actually underway in the RYC to ensure an effective rehabilitation of juvenile offenders by renovating the RYC and the construction of Small Homes to provide a friendly and safe environment. A key restructuring is on course,whereby the quality of education  will be improved and psychological assistance will be offered. 

Mrs Jeewa-Daureeawoo underlined the unemployment issue regarding disabled people and announced a series of measures to tackle this.  Reviewing the mechanism of employability will be her Ministry’s priority next year, she said. New trainings and new Skill development programme are being set up for disabled people. Maximum training and support will be provided to them so that they are better equipped to set foot in the world of work, she stressed.

She also announced the need to have a pension reform which is a high level priority since the ageing population is swelling. For that, a technical committee has already been set up.