馃嚥馃嚭MauritiusEast Africa
Seychelles fuel prices increase by 10% as government implements transition plan
via Le Mauricien2 min read
Seychelles has increased fuel prices by approximately 10%, with diesel now costing Rs 25.19 per liter and unleaded petrol Rs 24.68 per liter. This marks the second price hike this year and is part of a transition plan approved by the Council of Ministers to gradually restore fuel prices while ensuring the nation's energy security. The announcement was made by Adrian Mondon, Director General of Seychelles Petroleum Company SEYPEC, alongside Vice-President S茅bastien Pillay and Minister of Finance Pierre Laporte. Mondon stated that the real cost of fuel is around Rs 35 per liter, indicating that pump prices remain heavily subsidized by the state. Seychelles currently holds about two months of fuel reserves, with a supply ship arriving monthly from Singapore. Vice-President Pillay explained that the government opted for a gradual approach to mitigate the impact on the population, preferring progressive measures over radical interventions. To reduce fuel consumption and state expenditure, public sector working hours have been shortened, with administrations now closing at 2:30 PM. Minister Laporte acknowledged that the increase might lead to higher inflation in the coming months but assured that the government would adjust pensions and social assistance to protect vulnerable individuals. This reform aims to strengthen SEYPEC's financial viability, maintain strategic fuel reserves, and support investments in the country's energy infrastructure. Mondon noted that despite recent drop
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Le Mauricien.
Must ReadMagistrate Bibi Azna Bholah, sitting in the Curepipe district court, has ordered that Chief Inspector Bhunjun, the Enquiring Officer in the criminal trial against Public Infrastructure Minister Ajay Gunness, be recalled to the witness stand. Minister Gunness faces four formal charges under the Road Traffic Act, including drunk driving, refusal to submit to a breathalyzer test, refusal to provide a urine or blood sample, and refusal to comply. He has pleaded not guilty. The magistrate's ruling follows a motion by Minister Gunness's lawyers, Me Rishi Hurdowar and Me Shanyu Seewoonarain, who seek to cross-examine the witness again. The representative of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Me Pareemala Mauree, had objected to this motion, arguing that it constituted an abuse of procedure due to a change of lawyer by the defendant. However, the court ruled that the defendant's right to a fair trial must take precedence. The case has been adjourned to Wednesday, August 12, 2026, when Chief Inspector Bhunjun is scheduled to reappear in court. A police officer intercepted a car driven by Ajay Gunness in Flor茅al on January 9, 2023. According to the officer's testimony in court, he detected an odor of alcohol and attempted to administer a breathalyzer test, but the minister allegedly refused to comply before leaving the scene in his car. Ajay Gunness maintains that the officer only requested his driver's license, which he provided.
Reeaz Chuttoo, president of the Confederation of Workers of the Public and Private Sectors CTSP, states that the introduction of Labour Contractors in the agricultural sector marks a new phase in the overexploitation of foreign labor in Mauritius. He believes this system, which allows migrant workers to be employed by multiple farmers, will lead to increased precariousness and discrimination. Chuttoo argues that this measure, which would apply only to migrant workers, violates Article 16 of the Constitution by creating discrimination based on place of origin. He also suggests that the government's economic strategy relies on low-cost foreign labor as Mauritius's main competitive advantage, which he believes encourages young Mauritians to seek work abroad. Chuttoo highlights that migrant workers become entirely dependent on their employers once they obtain a work permit. If the employer informs the Passport and Immigration Office that the contract is terminated, the permit is canceled, and the worker is subject to expulsion, potentially being held at the Pointe-J茅r么me detention center. This dependency, he says, prevents foreign workers from reporting abuses, with complaints rarely officially recorded by the Ministry of Labor. The CTSP president also points to numerous violations of migrant workers' rights, including non-payment of contributions to the Portable Retirement Gratuity Fund, lack of professional medical follow-up, insufficient personal protective equipment, excessiv
Mauritius's population includes more women than men, a trend observed since 1990, though men outnumber women in age groups under 50. Women in Mauritius have a life expectancy of 78 years, compared to 70.7 years for men. The country ranks 111th out of 148 countries in the Global Gender Gap Index. The average age for women to marry has increased to 32, up from 30.8 in 2015, while the marriage rate has decreased from 18.4 in 2005 to 12.4 in 2025. Divorce rates are rising, from 1.8 in 2005 to 4.8 in 2025, with women initiating 32.6% of cases. The highest number of divorces occur between 5 and 10 years of marriage. Fertility rates continue to decline, with the highest fertility now seen in women aged 30-34, a shift from the 25-29 age group in 2005. Contraception center visits have decreased. Women also face higher unemployment rates at 7.6% compared to 4.3% for men, despite higher educational attainment among unemployed women. The number of women living in relative poverty is 52,400, slightly more than men at 48,800. Domestic violence cases increased from 5,758 in 2024 to 7,562 in 2025, with women being victims in 6,478 cases. Verbal violence accounts for 49.9% of cases, followed by physical violence at 42.5%. Child abuse cases also rose, with girls being more affected. In education, girls show better performance in higher education, with 63% of higher education students being female in 2025, up from 31.1% in 2005. The number of new HIV cases among young people is increasing, with