80. Every year the National Assembly votes budgetary provision for “Subsidy to Religious Bodies” Religious bodies affiliated to Federations, which receive an amount of subsidy based on the number of adherents. Those not affiliated but which operate as branches of international religious organizations are paid a fixed grant. Bodies which have been set up to promote languages and cultures in Mauritius, obtain grants from Government to meet expenses regarding their activities and administrative expenses. A list of such bodies were listed at paragraph 41.0 of the last ACHPR Report. PROHIBITION ON T HE WEAR OF “TIKKA”- (CASE OF MRS S.D V/S THE RESIDENCE MAURITIUS H OTEL) 81. On 15 March 2018 one female worker of Hindu faith, employed as Sales Assistant in a resort hotel for over 13 years, made a representation that as from February 2018, the Management was discriminatorily and unconstitutionally prohibiting her during working hours from applying a “Tikka”, which she was doing according to her faith and belief. She was even issued with 3 warnings by management for having failed to comply with the latter’s instructions. On 17 April 2018 she reported a dispute thereon at the Commission for Conciliation and Mediation. As the dispute had still remained unresolved, the Commission had on 12 June 2018 referred it to the Employment Relations Tribunal for arbitration. 82. On 18 February 2019 the Employment Relations Tribunal gave its award and ruled in favour of the employee by allowing her to continue wearing her “tikka” during working hours directed Management to remove the three warnings leveled against the worker. 83. The Tribunal reflected that “Every country’s system of employment – industrial relations is in certain ways unique because it is shaped by a distinctive national history, culture, economy and set of political and social institutions. In Mauritius, we all come from somewhere with a tradition and culture that we cherish. To ban any of it, be it at work, leads to a sensitive area that needs to be addressed with care”. ARTICLE 9- RIGHT TO RECEIVE INFORMATION AND RIGHT T O E XPRESS OPINION 1. Every individual shall have the right to receive information. 2. Every individual shall have the right to express and disseminate his opinions within the law. 84. Journalists and the local media at large enjoy a long tradition of freedom and pluralism. Freedom of the press is guaranteed by the Mauritian Constitution and is an essential component of the right to freedom of expression. 73