Executive Summary Public Service Excellence Award 1.114 This Award was introduced by the Ministry of Civil Service and Administrative Reforms in 2006, following the announcement of its introduction by the current Prime Minister soon after the start of his first term of office in 2005. It is now a much-awaited, yearly event in which public organizations aspire to participate. It has successfully contributed to promote the spirit of innovation, continual improvement and excellence within the Civil Service. The award aims to recognise excellence and the spirit of innovation and to highlight their importance in developing a quality public service. Ministries, departments, units or divisions that have adopted innovative ways to meet the challenges that face them daily are given the award. A trophy and a cash prize (of Rs100000 are given at the award ceremony along with individual prizes of Rs50,000. The role and powers of the ombudsperson for children 1.115 The Ombudsman for Children Act of 2003 established the position of om-budsperson for children in 2003. The ombudsperson represents and defends all Mauritian children in Mauritius, Rodrigues and Agaléga, and even those who are abroad. He/she also represents and defends foreign children on Mauritian territory. 1.116 To open an investigation, any adult or minor can contact the ombudsperson for children. That person must report the facts about any child victim. The om-budsperson for children guarantees the confidentiality of their information. The ombudsperson for children may also initiate an investigation as soon as he or she hears about a violation. 1.117 The ombudsperson for children must submit a report every year to the president of the republic, who, in turn, sends it to the National Assembly. The Migrant Unit of the MLIRE. 1.118 The Migrant Unit of the MLIRE has powerful regulatory oversight functions designed to protect the rights of workers. The unit inspects the workplaces of migrant workers to ascertain whether employers comply with local laws. More than 700 inspections took place in 2008. In terms of the Employment Relations Act of 2008, the unit vets the employment contracts of migrant workers 34 Executive Summary before they are recruited. The unit also conducts follow-up inspections to ensure compliance and refers outstanding matters to the Industrial Court or to other authorities. The office is open 24 hours a day. Due to a large number of Chinese migrant workers, a full-time translator of Chinese languages is employed at the office to assist in translation. The Unit requires employers to sign contracts that stipulate the benefits that employers must provide to migrant workers. Mandated information includes the hours of work, meal breaks, payment for overtime work, leave entitlements, protective equipment, gratuities, insurance cover, living conditions and costs of repatriation on termination of contracts or burial expenses in cases of death. The treatment of senior citizens in Mauritius. 1.119 Before 2005, senior citizens were exempted from paying at least half the transport fare on public transport systems. An electoral promise by the government introduced free transport for the elderly, the disabled and students after September 2005. Senior citizens do not pay airport tax. 1.120 In addition, medical domiciliary visits for those who are 90 years and older are guaranteed. Those who are bedridden from 75 years onwards and need extra help get a carer’s allowance in addition to the universal pension. The elderly who live alone and pay rent receive an additional monthly allowance of Rs1,250. All poor elders get additional income support. They receive Rs150,115 a month for the purchase of foodstuffs. Indigent senior citizens get free wheelchairs, hearing aids and burial expenses. The Ministry of Social Security, National Solidarity and Senior Citizens Welfare and Reform Institutions maintains the elderly, who cannot afford housing, in homes for the elderly. Financing the budget deficit in Mauritius. 1.121 Mauritius is one of the few African countries that have succeeded, since 2004, in making budget deficit financing the instrument that regulates the money market. The government now covers its funding needs through the money market by issuing treasury bills and bonds and interest-bearing instruments. 1.122 As part of the definition of the budget policy, the government estimates its borrowing requirements to promote the issuance of 35