A concerning trend has emerged in Mauritius, where approximately 34,000 young individuals, aged 16 to 24, are neither employed, in school, nor part of a training program. This statistic, revealed by opposition PMSD leader Xavier-Luc Duval at a press conference in Port-Louis, has raised alarm bells regarding the country's youth unemployment and education. Duval linked these numbers to the recent unrest in the country, citing factors such as school failure, substance abuse, housing shortages, and water scarcity as contributing to the widespread discontent.
The 34,000 figure is based on the 2022 census, and Duval warned that the actual number may be higher when considering the current cohort. He urged the government to establish a full ministry for social integration to address these pressing issues. Furthermore, Duval emphasized that the focus should not only be on the current number but also on how many of these young individuals remain in this situation next year. The government has been called upon to take a proactive approach to tackle the root causes of the problem.
In a separate development, the Mauritian Cabinet has approved two bills aimed at overhauling the country's adoption process. The Child Adoption Bill and an amendment to the Code Civil Mauricien are designed to align with the Hague Convention of 1993, which sets international standards for adoptions across borders. The proposed laws will establish a Mauritius Child Adoption Authority to oversee and monitor every adoption case, ensuring that would-be parents meet specific eligibility criteria and undergo a formal matching process with suitable families.
The adoption bills aim to provide a more structured and transparent process, with checks in place before and after a child is placed with a new family. This move is expected to provide better protection for both the children and the adoptive parents. The government has invited the public to provide feedback on the proposed laws during a consultation period.
In other news, Leevy Frivet, a former journalist and labor ministry adviser, has filed a Supreme Court claim against the State and the commissioner of police, seeking Rs 8.715 million in compensation. Frivet was arrested in November 2024 in connection with the Moustass Leaks scandal and claims that his arrest was unjustified, resulting in financial, moral, and social harm.
Air Mauritius is also facing challenges, with its national carrier struggling to recover. Chief executive Andre Viljoen has presented a recovery plan to unions and staff, focusing on steady daily operations rather than a grand relaunch. The plan aims to get the airline back on track, but its success remains to be seen.
Additionally, lawyer Yuvir Bandhu has called for immediate action to secure court archives after a courtroom was ransacked in Bambous. Bandhu wants to see the installation of cameras, alarms, and fire detectors in archive rooms, as well as restricted access to sensitive cases to prevent any potential tampering or loss of documents.
Key points
- 34,000 young Mauritians are neither employed, in school, nor part of a training program.
- Two bills have been proposed to overhaul Mauritius' adoption process, aligning with international standards.
- A former journalist has filed a claim against the State and commissioner of police for unjustified arrest.
