Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, as we debated this morning, the National Pension Fund (NPF) was established under Section 37 of the National Pensions Act and contributions into the Fund were made by insured persons in employment in accordance with Section 13 of the said Act. Self-employed and non-employed persons could also contribute voluntarily into the Fund under Section 18 of the National Pensions Act. However, as we stated this morning, the previous government discontinued the contribution scheme and introduced the Contribution Sociale Généralisée (CSG) as from 01 September 2020. Contributions are now made to the Mauritius Revenue Authority (MRA). Under the National Pensions Act, insured persons who had contributed to the National Pensions Fund may qualify for the following contributory benefits which are intended to provide income protection in case of retirement, invalidity, death or employment injury – (i) Contributory Retirement Pension (CRP); (ii) Invalid's Contributory Pension (CIP). (iii) Widow’s and Widower’s Contribution Pension. (iv) Orphan’s Contributory Pension. (v) Industrial Injury Benefits. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, with regard to part (b) of the question, I am informed that as at date, there are 1,151 fishermen in Rodrigues who have contributed as self-employed in the National Pension Fund. Out of the 1,151 fishermen, 418 are in receipt of Contributory Retirement Pension and Invalid's Contributory Pension. I am further informed that there are 733 fishermen who are not in receipt of any contributory benefit for the following possible reasons – (a) the contributor has not reached 60 years or retirement age to claim the CRP; (b) the contributor may have passed away before his or her entitlement to claim the CRP; (c) the contributor may have started to contribute to the National Pension Fund in 2012 and have less than 150 pension points to be entitled for a minimum CRP; (d) claims for Contributory benefits have not been made due to ignorance, or/and (e) contributor was not an insured person in the financial year preceding their claim to Contributory pension (CRP or CIP). Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir.

Yes.

Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, thank you. May I ask the hon. Minister, for those fishermen who are not in receipt of pensions and who do not meet the criteria, what will happen to their contribution? Will they be refunded?

All contribution made is safely in the Fund and will be paid to the contributor when the contributor meets all the criteria. I can even disclose to the House that the total amount of NPF contribution paid by the fishermen in Rodrigues – which is 1,500 – is Rs7,899,925. So, they have been contributing, they are entitled as a matter of right to entitlements under the law.

Yes.

May I ask the hon. Minister for those who already reached 60 years before 2025 and who have not received the pension, what will happen to the contributions?

As I told you, there are many reasons why a contributor might not have been receiving his or her pension. I am not informed of any such particular case. If you have any such particular case, please inform me. I will look into the matter as to what are the reasons of this but the possible causes are as listed in my answer.

This question is for fishermen in Rodrigues. Hon. Anabelle Savabaddy! VICTORIA HOSPITAL – HEALTH PERSONNEL – ALLEGED STATE OF INTOXICATION – INQUIRY