Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2015, published 105th ILC session (2016)

Equality of Treatment (Accident Compensation) Convention, 1925 (No. 19) - Mauritius (Ratification: 1969)

Article 1(2) of the Convention. Equality of treatment. With reference to its previous observations, the Committee notes that the National Pensions (Non Citizens and Absent Persons) Order 1978 has been revoked and replaced by the National Pensions (Non-Citizens and Absent Persons) Regulations 2015. It notes with interest that these Regulations provide for the affiliation of non-citizens from the first day of employment in Mauritius in sectors other than the export manufacturing enterprises. All non citizens employed in export manufacturing enterprises become insured persons under the National Pension Act only if they have resided in Mauritius for a period of at least two years, during which they are entitled to injury benefits under the Workmen’s Compensation Act 1931. The Committee further notes from the Government’s report that the merger of the Workmen’s Compensation Act 1931 and the National Pension Act 1976 has not yet been finalized, as a major amendment to the National Pension Act 1976 is being formulated by the Ministry of Social Security, National Solidarity and Reform Institutions in the form of a new bill. The Committee hopes that the merger of these two Acts will go through soon and that it will address the principle of equal treatment between national and foreign workers in respect of social security benefits so as to give full effect to the provisions of the Convention with respect to workers employed in export manufacturing enterprises. The Committee requests the Government to report on developments in this regard.