Madam Speaker, I am informed by the Gambling Regulatory Authority that as per Section 22.2 of the Rules of Racing 2024, any jockey and apprentice jockey is mandatorily required to have an insurance cover. Although the Rules do not specify the type of cover, insurance taken for jockeys and apprentice jockeys, both local and international, are usually of two types namely, personal accident and health catastrophe cover. With regard to part (a) of the question, I am informed by the Gambling Regulatory Authority that it is the responsibility of the horse racing organiser, currently the MTC Jockey Club Ltd, to arrange for the insurance cover, which is then billed to the jockey and apprentice jockey. I am informed that under the previous Government, People’s Turf PLC, did not provide for insurance cover for the jockeys and apprentice jockeys for both 2023 and 2024, the period during which it was, that is, the PLC was the horse racing organiser, and this was against the principles of the Gambling Revenue Authority and, to which the latter, I must say, turned a completely blind eye but they did not do anything about it. The annual premium for the personal accident cover is as follows – • Rs 172,500 for a local jockey and an apprentice jockey, and • Rs 87,500 for a foreign jockey. The annual premium for the health insurance is Rs14,244 for both a local jockey and the apprentice jockey. Concerning part (b) of the question, I am informed by the Gambling Regulatory Authority that as per Section 20 of the Rules of Racing 2024, a person can apply for an apprentice jockey licence if that person is aged 16 years or more. This is, I believe, the international practice. Furthermore, this age limit is in line with Section 10 of the Workers’ Rights Act which provides that a person is considered to be of full age and capacity to enter into an employment contract only if the person is aged 16 years or more.

Madame la présidente…

Yes, yes.

Merci. L’honorable Premier ministre peut-il expliquer à la Chambre, sachant que les difficultés que rencontrent les jockeys et apprentis mauriciens pour gagner leur vie, pourquoi la prime d’assurance est beaucoup plus élevée que celle qui concerne les jockeys étrangers, pratiquement le double si j’ai bien compris la réponse du Premier ministre ?

This is precisely because, it is felt that they already have an insurance from wherever they are coming. That is, a foreign jockey already has an assurance which covers them. So, this is why it is lower.

Okay!

L’honorable Premier ministre trouve-t-il normale de demander aux jockeys et apprentis mauriciens de débourser en une seule tranche R172 000 pour une prime d’assurance qui leur permet d’avoir leur licence alors qu’on aurait pu leur facilité la tâche en les faisant payer en mensualité, en plusieurs tranches. N’est-ce pas là enlever la chance au mauriciens de pouvoir exercer leur métier en toute quiétude ? L’honorable Premier ministre prendra-t-il toute cette question avec la GRA ? Pourquoi ne pas demander à la GRA, par exemple, de subventionner cette prime d’assurance en partie ?

I am not sure that the GRA can subsidise them but I could ask them whether it is possible to pay it in tranches if that is what you are saying. I could ask them. I do not know whether it is feasible or not because it is the insurance company at the end of the day which will decide.

Okay, fair enough. Now we have the hon. First Member for Savanne and Black River! DRINK DRIVING – REPORTED CASES – PREVENTIVE MEASURES