To allow a better reintegration in the society to drug users, new threat of strike in the port and Mauritius under a strong swell warning... Here's what you should know from this week's news.
Weather : A high wave warning this weekend
A high wave warning is in force in Mauritius. It will be valid until tomorrow, Saturday, September 3 at 4 am. The sea is currently very stormy with waves from the southwest of about four meters. The waves may break into coastal areas in low-lying areas of the west and south during high tides. The public, fishermen and boaters are strongly advised not to go out to sea and not to venture onto these beaches especially during high tides.
Also, the temperatures should drop in the next few days. Indeed, a high pressure system is approaching our region from the southwest and will gradually strengthen the wind over our region.
Better reintegration of drug users into society under study
A new committee will be set up to deal with the cases of drug users. The objective is to allow a better reintegration into society. Thus, the Ministry of Health is currently working on the establishment of a Drug Offenders Administrative Panel. Drug users will receive treatment instead of punishment. The authorities intend to work in collaboration with NGOs, social workers and the State Law Office for the legal framework of this project.
On the other hand, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has recommended that provisional charges should not be lodged against suspects of minor drug possession offenses. There are two conditions attached to this recommendation. The first is that the suspect must confess and the second is that the suspect must not be a public employee.
It should be noted that drug offenses dropped in 2021 from 5,268 (in 2020) to 4,826.
Port: Threat of a new employee strike
While the situation had calmed down at the port, the employees are again threatening to go on a general strike. A meeting is expected shortly between the management of the Cargo Handling Corporation Ltd and the unions to resolve this situation which has lasted for several weeks now. A collective agreement about the working conditions of employees between the two parties expired in December 2020 but has not yet been renewed.
As a reminder, for more than a month now, employees have been threatening to go on a general strike, but it was aborted after management gave assurance that conditions would be reviewed. Port activities have been on go-slow ever since.
