Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the Taxi Operators Welfare Fund was established on 11 June 2021 by an Act of Parliament following several requests made by the taxi operators for such a Fund which could promote the advancement and welfare of taxi operators and their families, I am informed. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, with regard to part (a) of the question, I am further informed that as at date, out of the 7,249 taxi operators 6,125 have already registered with the Fund and the amount collected stands at Rs47,551,000. I must point out that although the Fund came into operation in June 2021, payment of contributions was made effective only as from March 2022. The expenses incurred as at date by the Fund since its implementation amount to Rs6,238,208.32. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, as to part (b) of the question –

76 “Every holder of a taxi licence, other than the holder of a taxi licence who employs a full-time taxi driver to operate his taxi, and a full-time taxi driver shall, on commencement of this Act, be deemed to be registered with the Fund as a taxi operator” and make a monthly contribution of Rs300 to the Fund in accordance with section 11 and section 12 of the Taxi Operators Welfare Fund Act. According to section 26 of the Taxi Operators Welfare Fund (TOWF) Act the NLTA shall not renew a public service vehicle licence in case a taxi operator fails to pay the one-off entrance fee of Rs200 or the annual contribution to the TOWF as the case maybe. As regards to part (b) of the question, I must point out that the proposal put forward by the hon. Member may have various implications which need to be carefully examined. At this point in time, no amendment is being envisaged in this respect. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, as to part (c) of the question, I am informed that a Medical Grant Programme has been designed to provide financial assistance for medical expenses. The taxi operator would need to have a valid public service licence and present a medical certificate from a national hospital or a registered clinic certifying that the taxi operator will be unfit for duty for at least two weeks. In addition, the taxi operator would need to be compliant with the Fund and should not have benefited from the same scheme within five years. Furthermore, I am informed that the taxi operator is eligible to a daily subsistence of Rs389 up to a limit of Rs12,075 per month for a maximum of three months to cater for medical expenses. As at date, 74 taxi operators have benefitted from the medical grant programme to the tune of Rs1,793,409. Thank you.

Thank you, next question! Hon. Third Member for Grand’ Baie and Poudre d’Or! WORK SECTOR – BRAIN DRAIN – MEASURES