Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, when I took office in November 2024, there was a total anarchy in the recruitment of foreign workers to work in Mauritius. Mauritius was placed on the blacklist of countries with forced labour by the Department of Trade of the United States of America. Report from international non-governmental organisation suggested that foreign workers were being exploited and made to pay recruitment fees. My first priority, therefore, has been to work with the International Organisation of Migration of the United Nations to come up with new regulation to ensure the ethical recruitment of foreign workers. The Private Recruitment Agency Regulations came into force in October 2025 and it is only as from that date that my Ministry considered application for recruitment licenses. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, as regards part (a)(i) of the question, following the promulgation of the Private Recruitment Agency Regulations, my Ministry has, to date, received 69 applications for licences for recruitment of non-citizen for employment in Mauritius. As at date, only two recruitment licenses have been issued for recruitment of non- citizen for employment in Mauritius. In addition, six applications for such licences have been approved and claims for payment of the licence fees and security have been issued, but payment is being awaited. Another seven applications have been recommended by the committee, subject to additional information being obtained. I am tabling the names of the two companies which have obtained a recruitment licence for the recruitment for non-citizen for employment in Mauritius. However, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the names of the beneficial owners cannot be disclosed in view of the provisions of the Data Protection Act. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, as regard part (a) (ii) of the question, for the past three years, no recruitment licences have been suspended or revoked. However, all recruitment licenses lapsed in 2024 and were not renewed as the legal framework was being reviewed. With regard to application for recruitment license for non-citizens to work in Mauritius after October 2025, nine applications have been rejected so far. The reason why the application has been rejected is because they do not meet the new statutory criteria being required to issue a recruitment licence, including – (a) technical knowledge and experience in recruitment; (b) knowledge of applicable law; (c) sufficient financial resources, and (d) fitness and suitability of shareholders, directors and senior officers. As regards part (b) of the question, I wish to inform the House that following the issue of the recruitment licences under the new legislation and to prevent illegal recruitment of workers, my Ministry has issued a communique to inform the public and employers that recruitment of workers should be carried out through duly licensed private recruitment agencies in accordance with the law. The list of licensed private recruitment agencies for each category of licences has been posted on the website of the Ministry and is being updated as soon as new licences are issued. Such measures have been taken with a view to promoting fair, transparent and ethical recruitment practices, safeguarding the rights and welfare of non-citizen workers, preventing illegal recruitment activities and ensuring compliance with local labour laws and international labour standards. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the law already prohibits the charging of fees from workers either by the agent or the employer. The regulations expressly provide that all fees and costs in respect of migrant workers should be borne by the employer and the recruitment agent is not allowed to charge migrant worker any recruitment fees. In addition, licensees should, on a quarterly basis, submit relevant returns on vacancies and the number of jobseekers placed both locally and abroad. Any person who contravenes the provisions of the Private Recruitment Agencies legislation shall commit an offence and shall on conviction be liable to a fine of not less than Rs500,000 and not exceeding Rs1 million and to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years. All licensees should display their licence and condition conspicuously in their office premises. Otherwise, they may be liable to a fine of up to Rs50,000. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, finally, since January 2025 to May 2026, some 21 cases of recruitment of foreign workers without a valid recruitment licence have referred by my Ministry to the Commissioner of Police. Despite reminders sent to the Commissioner of Police, it would appear that up to now, the Police have not prosecuted anyone for illegal recruitment. Further to the issuance of recruitment licenses, my Ministry is envisaging post inspection to ensure that recruitment agencies are adhering to the conditions specified in the legislation.Thank you.

Yes, hon. Member!

Le ministre est-il au courant que de nombreuses compagnies agissent comme agences de recrutement sous couvert de consulting, n'ayant pas de licences officielles ? Et si oui, est-ce qu'il accepte cette pratique non encadrée ?

Tout à fait, M. le président. C'est la raison pour laquelle, en 21 occasions, on a référé des cas à la police, parce que c'est inacceptable. Donc, on ne tolère aucun consultant qui puisse agir sans la licence voulue. Mais je dois dire qu’on a donné une certaine flexibilité avant octobre 2025 pour que les employeurs puissent faire une demande pour des travailleurs étrangers en leur propre nom parce qu'on n'avait pas encore émis des recruitment licenses. Maintenant qu'on a émis des recruitment licenses, tout le monde devra passer à travers les agences de recrutement qui ont un permis valable.

Yes, last one.

Peut-il informer la Chambre si la compagnie Lexus Recruitment Agency & Co. Ltd., incorporée le 5 février 2025 et dont l’adresse du beneficial owner est la même que celle de son proche collaborateur et agent électoral, Monsieur J.S., est-ce que cette compagnie fait partie des 21 cas qu’il a mentionnés ? Est-ce qu’elle a été directement ou indirectement impliquée dans le recrutement des travailleurs étrangers depuis l’an dernier ?

M. le président, dans la liste des cas référés par mon ministère à la police, il n’y a pas le nom de la compagnie dont fait mention l’honorable membre.

Une autre question, s’il vous plaît.

Okay, last one.

Il n'a pas répondu à ma question. Est-ce qu'elle a été impliquée d'une manière ou d'une autre, indirectement ou directement, dans le recrutement ?

He has answered.

Même si elle n'est pas dans ces 21 cas, est-ce qu'il est au courant que cette compagnie a directement ou indirectement participé au recrutement de travailleurs étrangers puisqu'il vient de dénoncer cette pratique de consulting.

Okay, you have put your question.

Comme je l'ai dit, tous les cas d'abus qui sont référés à mon ministère, où, après une enquête, on voit qu'il y a une personne qui a agi comme un agent recruteur sans une licence, cela a été référée à la police. On a une liste de 21 cas qui a été déjà référé à la police. Malheureusement, le nom de la compagnie dont fait mention l'honorable membre n'est pas sur cette liste. Mais si elle a des informations, je l'invite à aller à la police et à faire une déposition en bonne et due forme.

The hon. Third Member for Flacq and Bon Accueil! SCHOOLS (PRIMARY & SECONDARY) - INDISCIPLINE - REPORTED CASES