Petrol prices hang on a committee verdict due Friday
Up, down or flat? The Petroleum Pricing Committee, which sets pump prices, must rule by Friday, and drivers have seen no change since April. Petrol holds at Rs 64.25 a litre, diesel at Rs 71.25. Costs behind the pump jumped: shipping one cargo climbed from about 23 million dollars to nearly 50 million, and the account that smooths prices sank from a Rs 1.9 billion deficit to Rs 3.6 billion.
Consumer group ACIM wants the government to look at fuel taxes instead. Its secretary general, Jayen Chellum, says high prices already squeeze vulnerable households and could spread to food and services.
Four months of frozen prices, and a Rs 3.6 billion hole that someone eventually pays for.
Hunger strike ends as labour law reform gets a deadline
Atma Shanto ended his hunger strike on Tuesday after three firms, the Outrigger resort, Innodis and Newrest, gave guarantees at the Labour Ministry. The unionist had camped in Port Louis to demand stronger protection for private workers.
Labour Minister Reza Uteem promised amendments to the 2008 Employment Relations Act and the Workers' Rights Act before the year is out. It should not take a hunger strike to move a law, he said. Shanto welcomed the step. Then a warning: the fight goes on.
PM Ramgoolam blasts red tape blocking free glaucoma care
"If people don't want to work, they can retire," PM Ramgoolam told staff at the Health Ministry, angry that red tape had frozen ten free glaucoma implants offered by two Mauritian eye surgeons based in Britain. Health Minister Bachoo conceded there are bad apples and vowed to act.
Mauritius tourism grows, but the maths gets harder
Demand for Mauritius holidays keeps climbing, yet hotel rates, airfares and running costs are testing how competitive the island really stays. Dearer rooms and pricier flights could nudge budget travellers toward cheaper rivals, even as arrivals rise. The trade's real puzzle is how grow volume without gutting the margins that keep resorts open.
Shorts
FCC widens the Vallée-des-Prêtres raid probe – The FCC heard two more officers under warning as assistant police chief Seewoo made bail.
Rs 4.5m cannabis found under a bed – Police seized ten packets at Baie-du-Cap and held one man.
151 Mauritian pupils shine at Cambridge – They took global distinction awards, several ranked top in the world.
Fabien, 13, found safe after a week missing – Camp-Le-Vieux police traced the boy, gone since 5 August, and brought him home.
Man bites officer at Vallée-Pitot station – A man of 27 summoned to the post bit an officer and smashed a window.
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