Yes, I am stepping in, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir. With your permission, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I shall reply to this question. I am informed that this matter is already being given due consideration. Section 15 and 16 of the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Act 2016 make provision for a National Crisis Committee to be chaired by the Secretary to Cabinet and Head of the Civil Service in the event of disasters. Notwithstanding any other enactment in situations of torrential rain and climatic disasters, the National Crisis Committee may, to safeguard the life of any person, issue after consultation with the hon. Prime Minister an order directing any person to remain indoors as long as it is unsafe to venture outside. Such order when issued applies for the whole population, except for those engaged in emergency and essential services. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, currently, the public sector and the private sector each have their respective protocols to deal with heavy rain and torrential rain situations. These protocols are aligned with section 16 and 17 of the relevant legislation while recognising the diverse nature and specificities of the public and private sectors. The protocol for heavy torrential rain and tropical storms or cyclones for the public sector serves as guidelines for ministries, departments and public sector organisation in times of heavy rain, localised heavy rain, torrential rain, cyclone warnings in force in the Republic of Mauritius. It provides practical guidance on work arrangements in such cases with a view to ensuring the safety of employees as well as continuity of service delivery. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, allow me to refer to the Workers Rights Act 2019 which is of relevance. Section 32 of the Act which deals with the payment of remuneration in other specific circumstances provides amongst others that – “(1A) Where, during a period of extreme weather conditions, including, but not limited to heavy or torrential rainfall [and it goes on to explain at subparagraph one and two which is] an order is issued by the National Crisis Committee under section 16 requiring any person to remain indoors, or a state of disaster is declared and any direction for the purpose of assisting and protecting the public is issued under section 37 of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act – (a) an employer shall not require a worker to report to work, or to continue to work, where he is exposed to the weather conditions, as the case may be.”

86 I shall not be that long, but allow me to add, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, that during the Assises du travail et de l’emploi organised from 23 to 25 September 2025 by the Ministry of Labour and Industrial Relations, social partners, including representatives of workers and employees agreed that the same regime should apply for the release of workers both in the private sector and the public sector in situation of torrential rain, and that there should be no disparity on this issue insofar as personal safety, security and threat to life are concerned. I understand that with a view to addressing the perception of continued discrimination between the public and private sectors when the country is facing torrential and climatic disasters, the Prime Minister’s Office together with the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council, the Mauritius Meteorological Services and other key stakeholders are working closely with the private sector for the development and finalisation of a combined national protocol for heavy and torrential rainfall, where safety of the population remains central while ensuring continuity in emergency and essential services. Once there is finalisation of the national protocol for heavy and torrential rainfall, necessary amendments will be brought to the Worker’s Rights Act 2019 as may be required, with a view to ensuring that employees of both the private and public sectors are protected on a non-discriminatory basis.

The hon. First Member for Rodrigues! RODRIGUES – MOTOR VEHICLE EXAMINATION CENTRES – PROTOCOLS & OPERATIONS