(4.38 p.m.) WITHHOLD RELEASE ORDER – FIREMOUNT GROUP LTD – UNITED STATES CUSTOMS & BORDER PROTECTION

Madam Speaker, with your permission, I wish to make a statement in connection with the Withhold Release Order (WRO) against Firemount Group Ltd issued by United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on 18 November 2025. As per the Withhold Release Order, the U.S. Customs will immediately detain garments, apparels and textiles manufactured by Firemount Group Ltd based on information that reasonably indicates forced labour use. The Release Order defines forced labour as all work or service which is exacted from any person under the menace of any penalty for its non- performance and for which the worker does not offer himself voluntarily. Madam Speaker, in its 23rd Annual Report entitled: “Findings on the Worst Forms of Child Labor”, published in 2024, the U.S. Department of Labor added Mauritius in the list of countries where goods are produced by child labour or forced labour. Mauritius was added in the list in respect to garments produced by forced labour. This action followed negative reports published in 2023 and 2024 from Transparentem, a non-profit organisation which investigated into labour abuses in Mauritius’ apparel manufacturing industry which covered factories operated by Firemount Textiles Ltd. The report highlighted labour rights abuses faced by workers in terms of recruitment fees; deception; abusive working and/or living conditions; intimidation and threats; abuse of vulnerability; audit deception and deficiencies; and inadequate response to grievances. Madam Speaker, when I took office, I had a meeting with His Excellency the US Ambassador to discuss how Mauritius can be removed from this blacklist. Consequently, with the help of the International Migration Office, my Ministry came up with new regulations under the Private Recruitment Agencies Act to ensure the ethical recruitment of foreign workers. The Special Migrant Workers’ Unit of my Ministry is dedicated to address all issues pertaining to Migrant Workers and to investigate all reported cases of abuse. We have also taken a policy decision to ensure that no enterprise which is the subject of complaints for serious offences against migrant workers is allowed to recruit new migrant workers. Madam Speaker, the report of the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) against Firemount Group Ltd is, according to the communique issued on 18 November by CBP, based on information which reasonably indicate forced labour. Taken together, the evidence according to that communique demonstrated that workers at Firemount Group Ltd were subject to four International Labour Organization indicators: abuse of vulnerability, debt bondage, deception, and intimidation and threats. Madam Speaker, I am informed by my Ministry that there have not been any cases of forced labour against Firemount Textile reported to our Ministry in 2025. On 19 and 20 November last week, officers of my Ministry carried out inspection visits to the two factories of Firemount Textile Ltd at La Tour Koenig and St Felix and interviewed migrant workers and members of Workers Council. They found no evidence of forced labour. I also chaired a meeting yesterday with the management of Firemount Textile Ltd in the presence of officers from my Ministry where the representatives denied all allegations levelled against them. Madam Speaker, the report of CPB was based on enquiries carried out before I assumed office. I am aware that in the past employers used to repatriate foreign workers before the latter could testify against them. The law now requires my Ministry to be informed before an enterprise can repatriate any worker. My Ministry is working closely with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade and the Mauritius Export Association (MEXA) to ensure that Mauritius is removed from the blacklist of the US Department of Labor at the earliest. My Ministry will not tolerate any enterprise that abuses migrant workers and tarnishes the reputation of Mauritius. Thank you.

Thank you, hon. Minister! Hon. Ms A. Navarre-Marie ! (4.42 p.m.) INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE ELIMINATION OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

Madam Speaker, with your permission, I wish to make a statement in connection with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women which is being commemorated today. Gender-based violence, Madam Speaker, is fundamentally an expression of domination and constitutes a serious violation of human rights. It prevents individuals from developing their full potential, contributing to society and living with dignity. For too long, this despicable crime was carefully hidden by society, concealed behind closed doors and dismissed as private matters. This issue has been brought to the surface thanks to NGOs and brave individuals. For years, discussions, demonstrations and conferences have been organised, studies commissioned and programmes implemented. There have been achievements, meaningful progress that we must acknowledge. Yet, more remains to be done. While much can be achieved in isolation, much more can be achieved through collaboration. As Minister, I strongly believe in networking, in the power of coordinated, multisectoral action where Government, civil society, communities and individuals work together towards our shared goal. The theme of our national campaign which runs from 24 November to 10 December this year is ‘Fam to pa zis enn viktim, to enn sanzman’ – ‘Women you are not only a victim, you are the change’. It carries both a pledge and a challenge, it recognises women’s inherent resilience and leadership and calls upon our institutions, our communities and every citizen to stand united against this scourge. Madam Speaker, almost every day, my Ministry is confronted with victims of violence and their painful experiences, the everyday horrors which they face. Data compels us to act with urgency. According to Statistics Mauritius, a Gender Approach 2023, 7,177 domestic violence cases were reported in 2023, out of which, 5,729 were targeted against women, thus representing 80% of all cases. From January to June 2025 alone, 3,768 cases were reported with 3,200 involving women victims. These figures are disturbing. According to UN Women and WHO research, globally, one out of three women has ever experienced physical or sexual violence from an intimate partner at least once in a lifetime. Behind every statistic, lies a human story. Madam Speaker, misunderstood parental models, tragic personal experiences coupled with the challenges and pressures that exist in our changing and complicated society, constitute grounds for manifestations of violence. However, I wish to reiterate the following: this Government has the necessary will to put an end to this heinous social scourge and it is high time to tackle this issue in a more organised, coordinated and comprehensive way. Madam Speaker, while our current legislation does not classify feminicide as a distinct offence, we recognise it as an urgent national concern requiring targeted preventive strategies. In that context, the Protection from Domestic Violence Act will be replaced by a comprehensive domestic abuse legislation. This new legislation will reflect Government’s unwavering determination to fight against gender-based violence. La loi va être appliquée dans toute sa rigueur. This new legislative framework will align Mauritius with international best practices. Madam Speaker, I wish to inform the House that since August this year, my Ministry has established 12 Family Support Services Centres, operating as integrated guichet unique one-stop shop facilities under one roof, bringing support for children, women and families, including psychosocial assistance, legal guidance, referral pathways and rapid intervention for victims of all forms of violence, including online harassment. Our 24/7 hotline 139 provides immediate crisis intervention, safety planning and connection to emergency shelter where necessary. Madam Speaker, while we must respond to violence with urgency and effectiveness, our ultimate goal must be prevention. Amongst other measures which my Ministry has taken, is to enlist the contribution of men, young men as allies against this scourge. Our positive masculinity programme has enrolled as at now 25 young men who believe that man is not the problem only but part of the solution. Madam Speaker, eliminating GBV stands high on the agenda of this Government. Through networking between Government, NGOs, civil society and individuals, we can achieve our goal, that is, creating a nation where every woman and girl lives free from fear and violence. During these 16 days of activism and beyond, let us all pledge not only to prevent gender-based violence but ultimately, to wipe it out and eradicate it. On a personal note, Madam Speaker, I will continue my task with compassion, justice and the vision of a safer Mauritius against all odds. I thank you.

Thank you very much.