Prime Minister Ramgoolam defends pension reform and expert commission, confirms means testing is out
via Le Mauricien4 min read
Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Navin Ramgoolam defended the pension reform and the work of the Expert Commission in the National Assembly, stating that the government has frozen the application of "means testing" following public criticism. Ramgoolam explained that the reform was initiated due to an "alarming and unsustainable" financial context, aiming to restore equity and viability to the pension system. The Expert Commission, established in September 2025 and chaired by actuary Ashok Prayag, was tasked with examining the three pillars of the pension system: non-contributory, contributory, and private voluntary schemes. Ramgoolam submitted the commission's interim report and members' CVs to the Assembly. The commission includes experts from actuarial science, economics, statistics, and insurance, with the chairman receiving Rs 200,000 monthly and other members Rs 100,000. Key recommendations in the interim report include creating an independent pension regulatory authority, establishing a central administration office for schemes, and replacing the Basic Retirement Pension with a "State Age Pension" from January 1, 2027. The report also recommended individual means testing for beneficiaries with taxable incomes exceeding Rs 14,000 per month, a threshold aligned with the World Bank's relative poverty line. Ramgoolam confirmed that means testing is now permanently discarded, stating, "The means test is out. It鈥檚 not contested. Everybody is happy it is out." This deci
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Le Mauricien.
Chetan Baboolall, a Member of Parliament for Fron Militan Progresis, stated that the government is penalizing retirees and workers, causing deep disturbance among the people of Mauritius. He asserted that no previous budget has left the population so uncertain about their future. Baboolall criticized recent changes to pension measures, the freezing of the Means Test, and the uncertainty surrounding funding sources like the expected revenue from the Chagos deal, which he believes undermine the budget's credibility. He argued that cutting pensions, raising taxes, or borrowing more are easy paths, while confronting inefficiency, waste, and entrenched privilege is the hard path to sustainable progress. He described the budget as "fake" and not reflective of reality. Baboolall also denounced the rising cost of living, noting that families continue to suffer from increased prices for food, electricity, and healthcare. He was critical of a new tax bracket for high earners and questioned the additional 5% tax on insurance. He highlighted what he called government contradictions, particularly regarding issues that required backtracking or freezing of announced measures, and accused the administration of "squeezing those who rely on the Basic Retirement Pension for survival." Beyond criticism, Baboolall advocated for structural reforms focusing on local agriculture, food security, import reduction, water management, and energy transition. He concluded by stating that Mauritius must ref
BreakingTwo powerful earthquakes, measuring magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5, struck Venezuela on Wednesday. Interim President Delcy Rodriguez announced a provisional toll of 32 dead and over 700 injured, declaring a state of emergency. She noted that data for the state of La Guaira, near the capital and believed to be the most affected region, was not yet available. Caracas airport was closed due to severe damage. The United States Geological Survey USGS reported the first tremor occurred at 6:04 PM local time, about 200 km west of Caracas, at a depth of 21.9 km. A second quake, magnitude 7.5 at a depth of 10 km, followed 39 seconds later 45 km away, accompanied by about twenty aftershocks. The USGS described this as the most powerful earthquake to hit the country since 1900, calling it a "double event" and a "catastrophe of considerable magnitude" with potentially heavy casualties and significant damage. Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello stated that several buildings collapsed in the capital and ordered gas supply cuts. The French Embassy in Caracas sustained material damage, but all French agents were contacted and are safe. France, along with its European partners, is ready to assess how to meet Venezuela's urgent needs, potentially through the European civil protection mechanism if requested. The United States, through President Donald Trump and Marco Rubio, also offered immediate assistance, including rescuers and humanitarian aid. The US Secretary of State spoke with the interim presid
Must ReadProposed amendments to the Public Gatherings Act, announced in the 2026-27 budget, are causing significant concern among trade unionists. The measure would increase the fine for participating in a demonstration or gathering deemed illegal from Rs 25,000 to Rs 100,000, and could also include a prison sentence of up to five years. Haniff Peerun, president of the Mauritius Labour Congress MLC, stated that such a measure raises serious concerns about fundamental freedoms, viewing it as an attempt to restrict freedom of expression, discourage citizen mobilization, and limit the democratic right to peaceful protest. He called on Members of Parliament, particularly those in the government majority, to demonstrate courage and responsibility during budget debates and demand the withdrawal of this provision. Peerun argued that heavily penalizing participation in demonstrations risks creating a climate of fear, potentially deterring citizens, trade unionists, activists, and civil society members from engaging in collective actions that are legitimate and essential for a democracy. He emphasized that demonstrations are often a last resort to voice demands, denounce injustices, or express discontent with decisions perceived as contrary to the public interest. The MLC president concluded that a government that no longer listens to its people risks alienating them, and that the strength of a democratic government lies in its willingness to listen, dialogue, and respect the fundamental right