A peaceful protest took place in Port-Louis, Mauritius, on November 1, 2026, as hundreds of workers, retirees, teachers, and citizens marched through the streets to express their discontent with the current state of affairs. The protest, organized by the Platform Komun Syndikal (PKS), drew a smaller crowd compared to the July 11 mobilization, but participants remained determined to make their voices heard. They carried placards and banners, denouncing the high cost of living, worker rights, and pension reforms.
The protesters, including Nathalie, a second-time participant, expressed frustration with the proposed pension universal reform. "We are not satisfied with the pension amount," she said. "The ministers and deputies receive a high monthly salary, but they do not understand what people are going through with the rising cost of living." The protesters also demanded a review of the minimum wage, which has not been revised in several years. Ashvin Gudday, a negotiator for the General Workers Federation, emphasized the need for a genuine living wage.
The protest also drew support from public figures, including Sheila Bunwaree, Dev Ramano, and former ministers Fazila Jeewa-Daureeawoo and Leela Devi Dookun-Luchoomun. The latter expressed her support for the teaching staff and the Union of Private Secondary Education Employees (UPSEE). "I am here to support the workers, especially the UPSEE team," she said. "The debates around the education system should not lose sight of the primary objective: allowing children to acquire the necessary knowledge."
The protesters converged at the Jardin de la Compagnie, where they shared their concerns about various sectors, including education, healthcare, and security. The situation in public hospitals was criticized, with Haniff Peerun, president of the Mauritius Labour Congress, denouncing what he termed "propaganda lies." He highlighted the lack of medication and the presence of foreign workers in public hospitals.
Radhakrishna Sadien, president of the Congress of Independent Trade Unions, expanded the debate to the issue of law and order, citing cases of elderly people being attacked at home. The protesters also raised concerns about the rising cost of living, the disappearance of the CSG allocation, and the need for an Occupational Wage to ensure fair remuneration for workers doing the same job.
The peaceful protest was seen as a crucial platform for the expression of social frustrations, with participants vowing to continue their fight for better working conditions, fair wages, and improved public services. The protest organizers and participants alike emphasized the need for dialogue and collective action to address the pressing issues facing the country.
As the protest came to a close, participants reiterated their demands for change, calling on the authorities to take concrete steps to address their concerns. The protest served as a reminder of the ongoing social unrest in Mauritius, with citizens and workers continuing to push for improved living standards and a more equitable society.
Key points
- The protest in Port-Louis was organized by the Platform Komun Syndikal (PKS) to express frustration over the cost of living, worker rights, and pension reforms.
- The protesters demanded a review of the minimum wage and the implementation of an Occupational Wage to ensure fair remuneration for workers.
- The protest drew support from public figures, including former ministers and union leaders, who emphasized the need for collective action to address the pressing issues facing the country.
