Reply: The Children’s Act 2020, which came into force on 24 January 2022, has introduced additional duties upon officers of the Probation and Aftercare Service, including the preparation of Parenting Support Intervention Plans and conducting home visits to ensure the safety and well- being of children and families. One of the duties under the Children’s Act relates to children with serious behavioural concerns. In such cases, the Probation Officer carries out parenting support interventions to assist parents in managing the child’s behaviour. This includes conducting a psycho-social assessment, preparing a parenting support intervention plan with home visits, and issuing a letter of outcome within 21 days for any further judicial action. The effective performance of these duties is crucial to ensuring the safety, stability, and well- being of children and their families. Probation Officers play a central role in identifying underlying issues, strengthening family relationships, and preventing children from exposure to neglect, violence, or negative social influences. I am informed that, following the proclamation of the Children’s Act which introduced additional duties, the Probation Officers Union made representations and requested for an appropriate allowance on 25 January 2022. A tripartite meeting was held at the level of the Prime Minister`s Office on 14 February 2022. Subsequently, a request was made for the payment of an appropriate allowance on 25 February 2022 to the then Ministry of Public Service, Administrative and Institutional Reforms. The said Ministry recommended the payment of an ‘On-call’ and ‘In- Attendance’ Allowance for duties in relation to recording of statements. Following consultations with the Pay Research Bureau, in June 2024, the said Ministry recommended the payment of an allowance equivalent to one increment to Probation Officers. However, the Union did not agree to the proposals and requested for a monthly allowance of Rs4,200. Despite their dissatisfaction, the officers performed part of the duties under the Children’s Act until April 2025, when they ceased all duties. In May 2025, the High-Powered Committee agreed to the payment of an allowance equivalent to two increments to Probation Officers and Senior Probation Officers, with arrears

134 pending amendments to their Schemes of Service. The Union, thereafter, agreed to resume duties as from 15 July 2025, but did not agree to be in attendance at the recording of statements by Police Officers from juvenile offenders, child victims and child witnesses. However, when the Ministry of Public Service and Administrative Reforms informed that the payment of the allowance was subject to the performance of all duties under the Children’s Act, the Union informed in a letter dated 9 September 2025, that the officers would stop performing all duties unless they are appropriately remunerated. The stand adopted by the Union has seriously impacted on the services offered leaving the needs of children and the concerns of parents unattended as well as undermining the proper functioning of relevant authorities such as the Children’s Court and the Police. In view of the above, on 27 October 2025, my Office requested the Union to inform the Probation Officers that they should perform all assigned tasks diligently, ensuring compliance with all policies, procedures and ethical standards. Consultations are ongoing. CASINOS OF MAURITIUS – RESTRUCTURING – EXPECTED TIMEFRAME