Platform Komin Sindikal urges President Gokhool to withhold assent on pension reform bill
The Platform Komin Sindikal PSK has formally appealed to the President of the Republic, Dharam Gokhool, regarding the reform of the Basic Retirement Pension BRP. In a letter, the trade unions requested that the Head of State not grant assent to the Finance Act until an urgent meeting with a union delegation has taken place. The unions criticize provisions in the Finance Act that reduce the basic retirement pension paid at age 60 and progressively raise the eligibility age to 65 starting in 2029. They argue these measures fundamentally alter the Mauritian social contract and undermine a pillar of the welfare state, noting that the right to BRP at 60 has been a national commitment to social justice, solidarity, and dignity for Mauritians after a lifetime of work. The PSK believes the reform will particularly affect workers in arduous occupations, many of whom may not be able to continue working until 65. They state the project raises significant questions about equity, social cohesion, and the future of the country's social protection system. The unions urge the President, as guarantor of the Constitution, to carefully consider the constitutional, social, and human implications of the reform and to use his prerogatives to ensure their concerns are addressed before the legislation takes effect. The Platform Komin Sindikal is seeking an urgent audience with the Head of State and requests that he return the bill to the National Assembly for reconsideration.
