Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I would wish at the very outset to inform the House of the following. Firstly, in regard to part (a) of the question, representations have indeed been made by some taxi operators, both at the level of the NLTA and my Ministry, against the operation of Alalila platform and there is an ongoing court case lodged by a group of 243 taxi operators against Logidis Limited, the company operating the platform and my Ministry. The matter is sub judice, which implies that there is a need for me to proceed with due care while replying to the question as any action deemed necessary in the circumstances can only be taken subsequent to the determination of the court case. Secondly, I have to mention that at paragraph 277 of the Budget Speech of 2022-2023, that is, four years ago, the former Minister of Finance announced that a new regulatory framework would be implemented by December 2022 to enable members of the public to book taxi services online. This measure was never implemented and has remained a mere effet d’annonce. There is no indication in the relevant files at my Ministry as to the reason why this measure was never brought to fruition. Thirdly, the Government has, on 17 April 2026, tasked a ministerial committee, chaired by myself and comprising the Minister of National Infrastructure and the Minister of Health and Wellness, both former Ministers of Land Transport, to examine the representations received regarding the Alalila platform. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, as at date, three meetings of the Ministerial Committee have been held, namely on 29 April, 11 May and 11 June 2026. As part of our engagement, we have heard one after the other, representatives of the two main unions, representing some 7,600 taxi operators, that is, the Taxi Proprietors Union and the General Taxis Owners Union. We have, thus, taken stock of their perspectives, concerns and proposals regarding the operation of the digital taxi booking applications with a view to determining the best way forward in the interest of the taxi community as well as users of taxi services. Furthermore, during the meeting of 11 June 2026, the representative of the Taxi Operators Welfare Fund presented the new website of the fund to those present, much to the satisfaction of the representatives of the unions, I must say. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, during the said meeting, we were informed by the President of the Taxi Proprietors Union that a dozen or so online platforms for booking of taxi services are in operation in Mauritius. Indeed, since 2006, beside Alalila, there are other companies like Yugo, DodoGo, Finova, Motaxi, amongst others, that are providing similar online services, each having a certain number of taxis already registered with them. The matter has, however, aroused concerns now among some taxi operators as Alalila has recently launched a new interface powered by the Uber technology, where it has stepped up efforts of canvassing operators to register on the new platform to expand its digital reach. The representative of the Taxi Proprietors Union has further stated at the ministerial committee that he is against the operation of Alalila as there is an apprehension among taxi operators with regard to the matter in which Uber operates elsewhere, and that taxi operators fear that their business would be adversely impacted upon. Hence, the reason for lodging the court case. They also apprehend a gradual increase in the commission that will apply over time. On the other hand, the General Taxis Owners Union is for the operation of Alalila with its new interface powered by Uber technology. It considers that Alalila will bring much benefits to taxi operators. Hence, I have to point out that the two main unions are highly divided on the question and so is public opinion gauged from comments on social media. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, with regard to part (b) of the question, I have to inform the House that no approval has either been sought from nor has been granted by the NLTA authorising Alalila or any similar platform to operate. In fact, there is presently no provision under the Road Traffic Act governing the operation of online taxi platforms and the NLTA does not interfere. Therefore, it has no legal jurisdiction in that respect. To end, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I have to highlight that this matter remains a high concern for Government. To that effect, I wish to guide the hon. Member to the Annex to the Budget of 2026-2027, that is, what was presented the week before, wherein provision has been made at paragraph 16 (e) for strengthening of the regulatory framework governing online taxi booking platforms with a view to ensuring that such taxi services are safe, transparent and reliable. The ministerial committee, which I chair, will submit its recommendations to Government for a policy decision soon. Thank you.

Yes, do you have a supplementary?

Merci, M. le président. L'honorable ministre peut-il nous dire s'il est au courant du nombre d'opérateurs qui sont regroupés justement sous la plateforme Uber, region-wise, si possible ? Et combien d'opérateurs de taxi font partie de la plateforme à ce jour ?

Deputy Speaker, Sir, I do not have that figure. I will have to ask that information from the NLTA or that company.

M. le président, donc, avec votre permission, l’honorable ministre peut-il révéler à la Chambre si une étude a été réalisée pour savoir l'impact de l'introduction de ce service sur les chauffeurs de taxi à travers l'île ? Si oui, d’en donner plus de détails. Et si jamais ce n'est pas le cas, s'il compte le faire à l’avenir?

As I have stated, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the budget makes provision for us to come up with a regulatory framework on the subject. As such, I think consultation will shed much light on this question.

Yes, one question, hon. Beechook. One supplementary!

Can the hon. Minister explain to the House how these online booking platforms urge or enable taxi operators to open outside their base d'opération, whereas it is clearly stated in the law that our PSV taxi licenses are provided for operators to operate in a specific area known as base d'opération?

I would like to guide the hon. Member to jurisprudence on that question. In the case of Reading Borough Council versus Mudassar Ali in the UK, dated 24 January 2019, wherein it is stated the base of operation is one thing if you take a client physically on that base of operation, but if it is done through telecommunication media, the issue is highly questionable. So, in due course, when the time comes for the preparation of that framework that I just mentioned, we will take that question on board.

The hon. Second Member for Flacq and Bon Accueil! 114TH INTERNATIONAL LABOUR CONFERENCE, GENEVA – BILATERAL MEETINGS – OUTCOME