Madam Speaker, at the very outset, I wish to inform the House that pursuant to section 4(1) for the Local Government Service Commission Act 1975, the power of appointment as well as removal from office in respect of employees of local authorities rests exclusively in Local Government Service Commission, that is, the LGSC. Section 4(2) of the same act further provides that the Commission shall not, in the exercise of its functions, be subject to the direction or control of any other person or authority. Having stated the above, I am informed by the LGSC that the recruitment exercise for the Municipal City Council of Port Louis following advertisement released on 28 May 2025, is ongoing. Madam Speaker, all appointments in the workman cadre comprising scavenging, refuse collectors, general workers and handy workers are made on a purely temporary day-to-day basis in accordance with established procedures. Thereafter, a year after joining service, the incumbent is appointed to the permanent and pensionable establishment, subject to a good performance, attendance, conduct and being medically fit for duty. Madam Speaker, I wish to emphasise that these terms and conditions are clearly communicated to recruit prior to the assumption of duties and form part of the standard administrative framework governing all such appointments. They are applied in a uniform, transparent and consistent manner across all local authorities under the supervision of the Local Government Service Commission. Madam Speaker, as regard to part (b) of the question, I am informed that following the judgement of the Supreme Court delivered on 23 January 2026 to the effect that the recruitment exercise of the employees of the workman cadre effected prior to November 2024, was illegal and acting on the advice of the hon. Attorney General Office which took the view that the termination was legally in order, the services of the workers concerned were terminated. Termination letters were accordingly issued by the Chief Executive of all the local authorities including the Municipal City Council of Port Louis on 29 January 2026. Out of the 164 employees who had been recruited in July and October 2024 for the Municipal City Council of Port Louis, the services of 158 employees were terminated on 29 January 2026. As regards the remaining six employees, four had resigned, three were similarly dismissed and one passed away. Madam Speaker, it is important to underline that the appointments concerned were temporary in nature and the decision related to appointment and termination falls exclusively within the statutory remits of the LGSC. I am further informed that recruitment exercise for the other 11 local authorities has recently been completed by the LGSC and appointments in the grade of workman class have already been made thereto on the basis of vacancies reported to the LGSC by the Unified Local Government Service Board of the Ministry of Local Government. As regard to the Municipal City Council of Port Louis, the recruitment exercise initiated following the advertisement of 28 May 2025 is as I have stated, still ongoing.

Thank you. Yes!

May I ask the hon. Minister to confirm that only, not more than 15% of the employees who have been terminated, have been re-employed, be it at the Municipal City Council of Port Louis or in other District Councils –how is it that those recruitments which was promised to be done…

One question at a time. Let him confirm that first.

Okay. Confirm that not more than 15%.

50%?

15%

15%?

Madam Speaker, recruitment exercise is conducted by the LGSC.

Yes!

In a very transparent and merit-based manner. All eligible candidates must apply and will be considered in accordance to the prescribed procedures. So, the recruitment rests on the LGSC itself.

But can you confirm this 15%?

Not in local government.

Yes, we know that. Can you confirm that 15% has been…

No, no, I cannot.

You cannot?

No, because it depends on the LGSC.

Second question!

If he cannot confirm, I will ask him a second question.

Yes!

Is the hon. Minister aware that whilst it was promised that recruitment will be done on the basis of transparency and meritocracy, that those persons who have worked for 16 months, who have contributed to the SICOM Pension Fund – who by the way have not been reimbursed – and thus have had experience and a track record, have not been considered for recruitment again?

But he will reply again…

I will ask whether it is in line with his promise of meritocracy? Given that they have a track record. According to the information I have, the vast majority has been left out.

No, but once…

Madam Speaker, I have already replied to that question

Yes!

(Interruptions)

One moment.

I have a third; another question.

Yes, but you cannot put a question when we know that we got an answer already.

But it is not the same.

And then everybody knows. I do not want to get involved.

Another one. It is not the same, Madam Speaker.

But the question is…

Yes?

The LGSC recruits, not the Ministry of Local Government.

May I ask the hon. Minister whether he will see to it that the contributions made by those persons to SICOM, namely to the tune of Rs1,084 per month for 16 months – so, we are talking about Rs17,000-Rs18,000 – be reimbursed to those persons who have been now left out of the job?

Yes, that is okay. You can consider that, hon. Minister. Hon. Minister, can you consider?

Madam Speaker, I will have to get advice from the SLO. If it is fit and proper, I can consider.

Yes, alright. But you can deal with the question.

Yes.

You will look into that question, okay? Next question!

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Can I ask the hon. Minister if he can provide to the Chamber the list of recruitment for all local governments? Thank you.

You mean concerning the same?

Yes.

(Interruptions)

Can you provide it?

Madam Speaker, I can give the number, but not the list of the names.

Exactly, yes! He can give the number.

At least for Constituency No. 4? Thank you.

Madam Speaker, with data protection, we cannot give the names. According to the Local Government Services Commission, we cannot give the names.

Right.

Madam Speaker, may I ask my last question?

A last question!

Thank you. Madam Speaker, there was an inter-ministerial committee set up to look into this issue. I will ask the hon. Minister whether he has taken note of the Supreme Court judgment, whereby it stated that it was abundantly clear that it was not through any fault of those employees, the fact that they were employed under un vice de procedure.

D’accord.

The LGSC was being invited to consider those persons in the recruitment process. I will ask the hon. Minister whether he has taken note of same and whether he intends to do anything about it?

Madam Speaker, the issue was not one of the fault of the workers, but the legality of the recruitment process.

That’s it!

The decision was taken by the LGSC in compliance with the Supreme Court judgment and legal advice, which confirmed that the appointments were invalid.

(Interruptions)

One moment! I do not want to give the answer, although I do have the answer. People who are not appointed; maybe the hon. Attorney General can help?

No, it was decided by the inter-ministerial committee.

No, but there is the law. There is the law, hon. A. Duval! You are a lawyer! Hon. Attorney General, can you help us?

This question was being put publicly.

Never mind! Let us go to another question. Later on, I will tell you the answer.

You do not have to tell me! There was the inter-ministerial committee. You have seen the…

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