Democracy and Political Governance 361. 362. Chapter 3 Trade unions in Mauritius have been active in informing migrant workers about their terms and conditions of employment. Despite this, and the important work the Migrant Unit does, migrant workers in Mauritius still face challenges of employer mistreatment and exploitation. In principle, migrant workers may form or join trade unions. However, employers still victimise migrant workers who unionise. They use the flimsiest reasons to get rid of them or to relocate them to distant areas. Trade unions also noted that many migrant workers live as squatters in Mauritius. They have no access to water or other social amenities. The CRM learnt that, in some instances, as many as 20 migrant workers share a room and that employers window-dress how they live to deceive inspectors from the MLIRE. This conceals the hardships the migrant workers suffer. Press reports during the CRM highlighted a government policy that bars Bangladeshi men from working after 31 December 2009. Thereafter, only Bangladeshi women will be allowed to work in Mauritius. The CRM was unable to establish whether this was true from the Migrant Unit. However, a trade unionist told the CRM that some companies were terminating Bangladeshi men’s contracts before this date. Chapter 3 13 per cent of elderly men. About 140,000 citizens currently benefit from the pension scheme. All the elderly need to do is present their national identity card and bank account number (where available) to the local office, which registers a claim that is sent automatically to the centralised benefits branch. The benefits branch makes bank payments, pays through the post office or pays by cheque. Best practice 3.4: 364. 154 The laws and policies of Mauritius are very supportive of the needs and concerns of the elderly. Efforts have been made to provide at least basic financial and social security. These efforts include the National Pensions Act of 1976, the Senior Citizens Council Act of 1995, the Residential Care Homes Act of 2003, the Protection of Elderly Persons Act of 2005 and the National Policy on Aging of 2008. Since 1976, all resident Mauritian citizens of 60 or older have been eligible to collect pensions. In terms of the National Pensions Act, all persons aged 60 and above get a basic retirement pension. They are revised every financial year. As of 1 July 2009, monthly pension entitlements were: (i) Rs2,945 for people aged between 60 and 90; (ii) Rs8,760 for those aged between 90 and 99; and (iii) Rs9,944 for centenarians. The Ministry of Social Security, National Solidarity and Senior Citizens Welfare and Reform Institutions estimates that expenditure on social protection for the elderly is about 7.3 per cent of the national budget. According to the 2000 population census, 107,500 persons were 60 or older. Of these, 60,950 were women and 46,550 were men. Sixty per cent of the elderly women are widows compared with The treatment of senior citizens in Mauritius 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. 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. 365. The Senior Citizen Council heads about 600 associations for the elderly or senior citizens. According to the Ministry of Social Security, National Solidarity and Senior Citizens Welfare and Reform Institutions, there are a number of social centres where citizens participate in recreational activities. It plans to construct more of these centres. The government runs and funds 56 Social Welfare Centres and 16 Day Care Centres. 366. Stakeholders felt that the pension, especially for the elderly who receive only the universal pension, is becoming inadequate given inflation and the high cost of living at the time (July 2009). This was more problematic for elderly people living on their own and without extended family support. This was about 8 per cent, or 9,000 elderly persons, according to the 2000 population census. The CRM learnt that several elderly people faced with financial pressures are taking on jobs in the private sector in order to look after their families. According to the 2000 population census, 11 per cent of elderly people were employed, 25 per cent of the working elderly were engaged in elementary occupations, and another 24 per cent were working in the service or trade sectors. Several stakeholders also thought that the age for receiving bigger pensions should be reviewed so that, instead of giving more to those who reach the age of 90, these benefits begin to accrue at the age of 75. The elderly 363. Democracy and Political Governance 155