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I am very much honored and pleased to have been chosen as the “most valuable commenter” of the week at Skelliewag’s blog.
Here’s what Skellie has to say on the comments I made in her ‘Ask the Readers’ section about success (and which I posted here also for your attention): “Though we disagreed in our ideas about success, this week’s most valuable commenter is Alfa King, who blogs about writing. He provided thoughtful answers in the thread and expanded them on his own blog. I particularly liked his blueprint of what we need to do in order to be successful.” And she reproduces the ten vital elements I listed for the accomplishment of our goals that will eventually bring the success we want.
Each week’s favorite commenter is eligible to participate in the running “to win a one-month featured spot in the sidebar at Skelliewag”. I am the third contestant on the list so far. Skellie says she’ll “be judging that winner at the end of December, depending on their continued participation in the ‘Ask the Readers’ discussions”.
If you’d like to be featured in a post at Skelliewag (or go into the running to win a sidebar link) just participate in the weekly discussion. This week’s question is: “Where are the Holes in Your Leaky Bucket?” “For the sake of illustration,” explains Skellie “try to think of yourself as a leaky bucket (hopefully something you don’t do too often). The little holes in the bucket are flaws, mistakes, areas in need of improvement. The water represents lost opportunities.”
Good luck to all.
Alfa King MemoriesI want to add just a few other things about success which I discussed previously. It’s been a fruitful exchange of views at Skelliewag where most, if not all, commenters have highlighted their goals and ventured into giving a definition of success as they perceive it. We can see the linkage of success to goals. Linkage there definitely is.
We may all legitimately have goals. They are pathways to success. But it’s not enough just to have goals and let things happen; they may never happen. WE should make them happen. In other words we’ve got to work towards the accomplishment of the goals we’ve set ourselves. There are some vital elements for the accomplishment of our goals that will eventually bring the success we want. I’d summarize these as follows:
We need to:
(i) have an intense desire to work towards the goal(s);
(ii) have conviction in what we are doing;
(iii) have commitment and enthusiasm to achieve the goal(s);
(iv) be dedicated in our action;
(v) indulge in hard work to make things happen; (don’t wait for things to happen)
(vi) be persistent;
(vii) be consistent;
(viii) be responsible;
(ix) have positive belief; (have inspiration not desperation); and last but not least,
(x) be prepared to give more than we expect to get.
You may add on other characteristics to these. But remember, we will achieve success only when we want it badly. Don’t rely on others to say you’ve achieved success. YOU should feel it.
So whatever the goals you’ve set for your blogs, do remember that you have to “earn” your success.
You remember in a previous post I mentioned about discussion topics at Skelliewag blog? This week Skellie’s query is about the definition of success. The question she poses is in three parts:
(i) What’s your definition of success?
(ii) Set out a concrete definition of success for your blog or website.
(iii) What are the goals you’re working towards?
I have already posted a comment on her blog, which I want to share with my readers here. I hope we can further the discussion independently here and try to come up with some interesting ideas.
I would wish to answer these three queries as they are posed. But before that, let me make it clear that I’m not a success guru, nor do I pretend to be one. I just want to bring my contribution from whatever I’ve learnt in order to further the discussion for mutual benefit.
The first question is of a general nature and I’ll adopt a general approach in an endeavour to come up with my definition of success. Then I’ll signal the goal I’m working towards and try to weave up a concrete definition of success for my blog. I’ll be somewhat elaborate so as to make the definition unfold itself as we move forward. Sorry for that. So let’s take each at a time.
(i) It’s a very interesting discussion where nobody would necessarily be right or wrong. If at the end of the day, we come up with a good synthesis of all the significant views of commenters, we might arrive at a workable definition.
We all talk about success; hardly do we understand what it really means. It’s a vague concept; and subjective. Different people attribute different meanings to success. If to some it might mean wealth or having a nice bungalow or villa or the latest BMW (which I’d refer to as material fulfillment), to others it could be good health, recognition, happiness, satisfaction, good family relationship or promotion in their job (which may be referred to as a state of mental fulfillment).
Whatever be it, success results from our attitude. Success doesn’t manifest itself as a result of accident or chance; it has to do with the choice we make to achieve that fulfillment which we call success. It is a feeling inside you, not outside, and is not an end in itself. If we want to achieve success we need to set realistic goals. We cannot say we’ve achieved what we wanted and we stop there, seal everything and say we’ve achieved success. For the day we do so, it’ll be our downfall – a good recipe for failure.
Success is not a destination; it’s a journey. Otherwise all the big successful multinationals wouldn’t have been where they are today; and they are constantly developing new ideas and techniques and looking for … success. So what is success? My view is that it’s an ongoing fulfillment process towards realizing something we value (not anything that we want to achieve). It’s a journey where we are continuously progressing from one goal to the next and the next.
I believe success is the extent to which you feel you have done something well and have achieved the set objective and want to go forward, higher and further. It’s a sense of fulfillment of having accomplished something we so cherished. And it doesn’t stop there. Once one goal is fulfilled we want to go another level up in quest of more success (fulfillment) and the journey continues. So to sum it all, my definition of success would be “a feeling of knowing you are progressively and consistently reaching the materialization of a goal (or goals) that you value much”.
(ii) Now let’s see what my goal is. I cherish to be able to progressively and consistently share reliable, authoritative and quality information, knowledge and experience on the internet highway. As you can see I have no material motives at the moment. May be as I go along this might become another goal and add up to my journey of success.
(iii) Having defined what I mean by success, and what goal I’m working towards, you should be able to decipher what success concretely means for my blog. Let me put it this way: “My concrete definition of success for my blog would be the extent of feeling of satisfaction and recognition I derive in the step-by-step realization of the goal I’ve set. It’s a passionate journey on which I’ve embarked myself and each day is a fulfillment in itself, a success for my blog.”
That’s it folks. Over to you for any comments. I want to learn more from you.
When a would-be writer starts writing he is initially interested in writing what he feels he can write about. Any problem? Well, it may be a good starting point if it’s going to be a hobby. But it’d be a whole different thing if the aim is to write for publications.
You want to be a freelancer. You know you can write, Ok? You are done with a nice article, well structured, well researched and very topical. You have high hopes. You send it out only to receive a diplomatic regret note saying “The editor has read it with much interest, but regrets he cannot use it.” Not a pleasant situation, isn’t it? Those who’ve been through it know very well what this means. A huge number of articles are rejected this way; often with no explanation at all. That’s even worse. You are disappointed; you shake your head with a big “WHY?”
If you sit back and reflect you’ll definitely find the answer. Either the publication you’ve sent your work to is not the right one, or your subject is not right, or even if it is you’ve adopted the wrong angle. You haven’t done your homework properly.
A good homework before writing is vital if you want to minimize rejections. That’s what makes the difference between beginners and professionals in writing.
A beginner will look for the article idea first, write it down and send it to the publication with the hope that it’ll get through. He’ll send it to any publication at hand without any analysis.
A professional on the other hand will carefully plan his writing. First he’ll decide for which publication he’s going to write. He’ll make what is called a publication analysis and compile a reader profile. He’ll get all the details of the publication, like its frequency of issue; what the guidelines say. Is it a paying market? What kind of article it features, who are the readers, what is their social status, things like that which will help him decide whether to write for it or not. It is only if he decides to give it a go that he’ll develop the idea for an article and query the editor before writing the article. He’ll target mainly the specialist publications, which value competent writers. He thus stands a better chance.
The above is only a glimpse of some of the aspects you need to consider before settling for writing, especially as a freelancer. Of course there’s a lot more and beyond the scope of this article. Anyway if you want to write for publications look for what the editor wants. You’ll then have a greater chance of acceptance and save your article being binned.
Good luck.
Muslims in Mauritius will start fasting on Thursday if the moon is visible on Wednesday night; otherwise it’ll be on Friday. This will mark the start of the holy month of Ramadhan, the ninth month in the Islamic (lunar) calendar.
Fasting (“Sawm” in arabic), which is one of the five pillars of Islam, is practised throughout this month. Muslims abstain from eating, drinking, smoking, and engaging in sexual intercourse between husband and wife from dawn (“fajr” – the first prayer of the day) to sunset (“maghrib” – the fourth prayer).
It is a time when they make special effort into following the teachings of Islam and refraining from anger, envy, greed, lust, sarcastic remarks, backbiting, and gossip. They are encouraged to read the Holy Qur’an (which was revealed during this month) as much as they can and perform special prayers (“tarawih”) at night after the “Isha” prayer. It is said benefits multiply several-fold for those who devote in extra prayers and give alms (“zakat”) during this month.
Fasting is however exempted to those who are sick, nursing, traveling and pregnant women. Women are not allowed to fast during their (menstrual) period. Any number of days missed should be replaced before the next fasting month.
Those who observe fast get up early and take their meal (known as “sehri” or “suhoor”) before sunrise only to eat again (“iftar”) at sunset. At night they are free to eat, drink and do whatever they want provided it is within the limits permitted by Islam.
For the believer fasting inculcates a sense of brotherhood and solidarity among fellow muslims, especially when they share meals together to break their fast. It helps develop patience, tolerance, self-control of personal conduct and temper and strengthen one’s faith. It cleanses the inner soul. It is an act of obedience to the Almighty Allah and constitutes an atonement of faults and misdeeds.
The last ten days of the month is of special importance and retribution. Some believers (male) take a retreat in the mosque during this decade and they concentrate in intense prayers in quest of the blessed night of “Lailat-ul-Qadr”. This is the 27th night of the month when the Qur’an is said to have been descended in the earthly heavens in its entirety.
The end of the month of Ramadhan is marked by “Eid-ul-Fitr”. It is an Islamic holiday celebrated on the first day of the following month, “Shawwal” to commemorate the breaking of fast.
Let this month be a pious one for those who’d be observing the Ramadhan fast.
General Historical Background
Health and safety legislation is a complement of labor legislation. It started with the industrial revolution in Europe between the 18th and 19th centuries. Workers had tough times during those days. They were subjected to long hours of work and exposed to hazardous working environment with the advent of machines. Accidents and injuries were commonplace and workers had to make their own effort to learn how to avoid them.
Measures to preserve the health and morals of workers started to take shape in the UK in 1802, followed by other European countries, namely Germany in 1839 and France in 1841. This idea relating to the health and morals of workers was later translated into what later became known as occupational safety, health and welfare.
Labor Legislation in Mauritius
Until 1988 occupational safety and health was governed by sparse pieces of legislation which became inadequate with time, and inconsistent with the evolution of the world of work with the rapid industrialization process.
Legislation relating to conditions of work dates as far back as 1878 when the Labor Ordinance was introduced. As time went on other legislations followed as listed hereunder:
(i) Aloe Fiber Factories Ordinance 1927;
(ii) Boilers Act 1934;
(iii) Factories (Safety of Workers) Ordinance 1939;
(iv) Factories (General Health Provisions) Regulations 1946;
(v) Workmen’s Compensation Act 1959;
(vi) Pesticides Control Act 1972;
(vii) Labor Act 1975;
(viii) Labor Regulations 1976;
(ix) Health, Safety & Welfare Regulations 1980;
(x) The Occupational Safety, Health & Welfare Act 1988.
(xi) The Occupational Safety and Health Act 2005
Being mainly industry specific most of them had restricted application and did not cater adequately for the protection of all workers wherever they were. For instance, the Pesticides Control Act was pertinent only to the agricultural sector. The Workmen’s Compensation Act was meant rather for the “consequence” of the conditions of work than the “prevention” aspect. It provides for an automatic remedy to a worker who has sustained injury “out of” and “in the course of” employment. The compensation is triggered by the mere accident at work itself, independent of whether the injured is at fault or not. It is thus often referred to as the “no fault compensation regime”.
Health, Safety & Welfare Regulations 1980
At the beginning enforcement of some laws was fraught with difficulties and was somewhat doubtful due to lack of proper framework to that effect. The late seventies, however, witnessed a very decisive step towards the protection of workers’ health and safety.
The need was felt for a new legislation with the arrival of a British Factory Inspector and the employment of a Mauritian Engineer in 1977. The Occupational Safety, Health and Welfare Regulations were made in 1980 under section 57 of the Labor Act 1975.
These regulations too had some limitations. They were applicable only to workplaces in the private sector and only to workers drawing monthly wages not exceeding Rs 2500 per month. Public sector workers were not covered. The onus was on the employer alone. Such inadequacies led to the introduction of another law, the Occupational Safety, Health & Welfare Act (OSHWA) in 1988.
The Occupational Safety, Health & Welfare Act 1988 (OSHWA 1988)
OSHWA 1988 is another milestone. Enacted on 29 November 1988, it was proclaimed on 1 May 1989 after some regulations were made under section 80 (1) of the Act on 26 April 1989. These regulations are the:
(i) Fees and Registrations Regulations, GN 64 of 1989;
(ii) First Aid Regulations, GN 65 of 1989; and
(iii) Woodworking Machines Regulations, GN 66 of 1989.
In an endeavor to provide further protective measures with regard to specific hazards, there were attempts to make other regulations, namely, “electricity at work” and “noise at work”, with no avail.
Main purpose and objects of OSHWA 1988
The Act was made to “consolidate, harmonize and update the law relating to safety, health and welfare”. It lifted the restrictions of previous laws (which became outdated in the light of current development in the working environment) and brought about fundamental shift of responsibility.
The employer was no longer solely responsible for all the acts of the employee. The latter also has a duty of care for self and others who may be affected by his acts or omissions at work. The Act made occupational safety, health and welfare the concern of both employers and employees at all levels, not only those at factory level but also those at top management level.
It applies wherever work is performed under a contract of employment. It extended coverage to both private and public sectors; outworkers; independent workers; contractors; designers; manufacturers; importers; and self-employed so that they could take appropriate measures such that their activities do not become a source of danger to others.
It also established the framework for a more effective safety and health organization, promotion and performance with such provisions as relating to information, instruction, communication, training, supervision, monitoring and consultation.
However, OSHWA 1988 (in spite of its wide scope of action) made certain reservations as to its applicability to the public sector. Some sections, namely section 9 (Posting of Abstracts or notices), section 10 (Keeping of Documents), section 11 (employment of Safety & Health Officers), section 13 (Safety & Health committees); and Part III (Administration) and Part VIII (Registration of Factories) do not bind the State.
Notwithstanding these, the Government took appropriate administrative measures in 1999 with the setting up an Occupational Safety and Health Unit within the Ministry of Civil Service Affairs & Administrative Reforms to cater for the safety and health needs of public sector employees.
One should not forget that some provisions of the Health, Safety & Welfare Regulations 1980 are still applicable. Part XIII (Electricity), Part XVIII (Foundries) and Part IXX (Regulations for Building and Excavation work) have not been repealed as stated at section 82 (h) of OSHWA 1988.
The Occupational Safety and Health Act 2005 (OSHA 2005)
The dynamism of the world of work necessitates a constant scrutiny of the law. Hence in October 2005 a new law was enacted. The OSHA 2005 aims at “consolidating and widening the scope of legislation on safety, health and welfare of employees at work”. This Act unreservedly binds the State, meaning it is applicable invariably in the public sector.
However this Act is not yet in force; it is awaiting proclamation. If it were to be enforced now, the government itself, as employer, would be in contravention due to the scarcity of Safety and Health Professionals at the moment.
OSHA 2005 is not much different from OSHWA 1988, except that it contains more elaborate provisions with regard to duty holders’ responsibilities. Also some implicit provisions in the previous law have been rendered more explicit. For instance there are specific provisions with regard to risk assessment, safety and health policy, vehicle lifts, escalators, manual handling operations and health surveillance of employees. The penalties for offences have been reinforced.
Many people, including my own countrymen, may not be aware. 22 August is an important date in the history of Mauritius. Most of us have in mind only12 March, our Republic Day.
It was on this day in 1967, following the victory of his party that late Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam (then Prime Minister) came up with a motion in the then Legislative Assembly. It was to seek independence from British rule. The motion was carried.
But our little island became officially independent only on 12 March 1968. If I’m not mistaken this event could not be programmed earlier due to social unrest during the last quarter of 1967.
The initial isolated conflicts between small ethnic groups of creole and muslim in the suburbs of Port Louis were quickly getting scattered. So much that British troops had to intervene to bring them to a halt. With the arrival of the Knight Shropshire Light Infantry (KSLI), a state of emergency was rigorously enforced and it wasn’t long before the situation became under control again.
Well, I’m sure there should be other reasons known to the Premier himself and his government at that time. Because choice of dates is certainly not a matter of tossing coins, especially when it comes to national events.
It might be worth recalling too that Sir Seewoosagur at the head of the MLP (Mauritius Labour Party) led an alliance with the CAM (Comité d’Action Musulman) under the leadership of late Sir Abdool Razack Mohamed. His main opponent was late Sir Gaetan Duval, leader of the PMSD (Parti Mauricien Social Démocrate), who was against the idea of independence and was seeking rather to maintain association with Great Britain.
Not so long after the proclamation of independence, in a gesture of reconciliation and unity, both groups joined hands together to form a coalition government; and Sir Gaetan Duval became the number two in the new government. With a “one-party” government there was a vacuum which led to the birth of the “Club des Etudiants Militants”, at first a pressure group with a leftist tendency, which later became the MMM (Mouvement Militant Mauricien). A new political party was thus born in 1970 under the leadership of Mr. Paul Bérenger who advocated a socialist approach that revolutionized politics in Mauritius with the emergence of a new breed of politicians.
Well, there are so many events in the history of this small island in the vast Indian Ocean that 22 August inevitably goes unsung.
Few years ago one of my mail accounts was hacked. I could no longer access my mails. Fortunately it was not a business mail. I used it for casual contacts. One day I received a mail from the same mail account. I just giggled, helpless. I queried the sender with no avail. How many of us have been in such a posture?
The use of passwords has become part of our daily life. Credit cards, phone banking, internet banking, blogging, mails, web hosting all require the use of secret keys or passwords to access personal information stored on our computer or in our online accounts. Why do we use these secret keys? Are they really secret? Can they be hacked?
Yes, hackers, like sharks, are always on the look out. They will easily identify a password which is simple and in common use, like for example a telephone number or a common name written either in the correct order or in reverse order. Sometimes short passwords with five to six characters are used for easy remembering. But one thing we tend to forget: they are also easily hacked. Easy and obvious passwords are easily stolen. When we come to know about it, it may be too late. What do we do?
Use a password that makes it difficult for the hacker. Make it strong and long. How? Use a random combination of characters; letters, figures and symbols. Each character added to the password increases the protection by many times. It is recommended to have at least eight characters or more; 14 or more is considered ideal.
Well, you’d argue that remembering passwords may be quite hectic, especially if you have a good number of them which you use such as for your blog, registration of blog, web hosting, software registration, forums, chats, discussion groups, and I don’t know what. I have hard times myself. But it’s worth the effort.
For further information on how to create and use strong passwords and things to avoid when creating them click here.
And if you are victim of a fraud while making an online transaction there are a number of actions, legal or otherwise, that you can take. It is a crime to make malicious or fraudulent use of somebody else’s information for any transactions. Check the provisions applicable in your country.
You may also read here for general information on what actions you can take.
To your security!
Do you smoke? If you are a smoker, do you know that you don’t have the right to endanger the health of non-smokers? Are you current on the latest initiatives or legal provisions in your country?
I was a casual smoker at one time. I used to take a few puffs from my friends during outings and fun times. Like many hard smokers, I didn’t pay heed to the harmful effects tobacco smoke can have on my health. The only thing I realised and I hated the most is the bad breath that came out; stinky mouth. How disgusting when you have to approach your partner or your mate or anyone who doesn’t smoke.
As I had started to experience unstable blood pressure I decided for a check up in 1998. I was shocked when the doctor asked me if I was a heavy smoker. Reason? The echocardiography revealed dark spots; well this is what he told me. He didn’t trust my word when I insisted that I smoked only on rare occasions; not even one cigarette in a week. If I had dark spots what would be the case with regular smokers? I felt so much remorse that I stopped tobacco consumption for good. No first hand smoking at all. I’m not so sure whether it applies for passive smoking as we are all somehow exposed to smoke in the environment.
Tobacco is known to be the second major cause of death in the world. It is responsible for about five million deaths each year. It accounts for numerous diseases, disability, and malnutrition, loss of productivity, increased health care costs and serious economic problems. In a report in 1994 it was estimated that the use of tobacco caused an annual global net loss of USD 200,000 millions. The current pattern in smoking is expected to result in some 10 million deaths each year by the year 2020.
Studies have shown that smoke contains some 4000 toxic chemicals. These affect not only the smoker but also non-smokers who live in the surrounding by a phenomenon known as secondhand smoking or passive smoking. Secondhand smoke is other people’s tobacco smoke. It can cause serious damage to the human body, like blood clotting, increased risk of lung cancer and heart disease. The risk of such diseases is the same in smokers and secondhand smokers. Secondhand smoking occurs mainly in enclosed environments, in rooms, offices, bars, restaurants, casinos, vehicles and other such places where people smoke.
Secondhand smoke stays in the environment for long and is most of the time invisible and odourless. In a room it may be present after two and half hours even if you open the windows. In a car it’s even worse as all the smoke is concentrated in a small area.
Scared? Well, there’s every reason to be. But we can do something about it, together. Although most smokers would argue it’s not easy to quit smoking. If you can choose to smoke at your own risk and peril, you have no right to put other people’s health at risk. Non-smokers have the right to a smoke-free environment.
That’s why the United Kingdom will be introducing a law “to protect employees and the public from the harmful effects of secondhand smoke”. As from 1 July this year, therefore, smoking in all “enclosed” and “substantially enclosed” public places and workplaces will be prohibited by law. The law aims at a smoke-free environment.
Enclosed premises would include those having a ceiling or roof and fully enclosed except for doors, windows or passageways. Substantially enclosed premises would be those with a ceiling or roof but having an opening in the walls that is less than half the total area of the walls.
So you won’t be allowed to smoke in a public transport and work vehicles carrying more than one person. Smoking signs will have to be displayed in all smoke-free premises and vehicles. Indoor smoking areas including staff smoking rooms will be forbidden; and anyone willing to smoke will have to go outside. There will be a legal responsibility on managers to prevent people from smoking in smoke-free premises and vehicles. It will be a criminal offence if you don’t comply with the requirements of the law and you’ll be liable to fixed penalties or maximum fines upon conviction.
What better initiative than the upcoming UK legislation to crack down on smokers in the context of World No-Tobacco Day to be celebrated on 31 May with the theme: “Smoke-free environments”.
In Mauritius the campaign has started on 23 May and will last until 7 June to sensitize people on the ill-effects of smoking and the need to promote a smoke-free environment. TV spots, forums, radio talks, poster competitions and regional workshops are scheduled during that period.
But it’s all a question of personal choice and conscience. If each of us could contribute in bringing a halt to tobacco smoking, the world would be a healthier place to live.
It’s become commonplace today to assault journalists in the performance of their duty. Unfortunately many pay their lives in bringing to us news fresh and live from the spot of the happening; right from the battle field. No less than 50 journalists have died since the beginning of this year. A record-breaking toll of 155 deaths was reported last year.
Attacks on journalists are taking a new shape. Hostility knows no limits; it is perpetuating from so-called respected and respectable people. Journalists continue to be the targeted, abused and offended not only by soldiers in the field, by criminals or gangsters, or by extremists; but also and even more by ruthless politicians, by arrogant members of government. These people don’t want their stories to be told or filmed as they are. The treatment is even more condemnable when it relates to a woman journalist; and when the “aggressor” is a head of State.
The latest case on record reveals one journalist Andrea Pana being treated as a “stinky Gypsy” by Romanian President Traian Basescu. The President snatched her mobile phone as she was trying to ask him while filming him about a ballot relating to his impeachment on Saturday last.
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) is outraged. It has condemned such behaviour which it considers intolerable. It is said that the President is used to attacking reporters and calling them by offensive names, using sexist and racist language as was the case with Andrea Pana. Considering this incident as not an isolated one, IFJ General Secretary Aidan White said: “….His disgusting behaviour endangers the safety of anyone who is unlucky enough to get close to him…”
The hostile attitude of such caliber has raised my concern over “Journalism as a dangerous occupation”. Such threats are not new; not the first; not even the last, I’m tempted to believe. Reporters and journalists have always been and will ever be exposed… to the whims and caprices of those in power. The more so when the media dare to state the truths about their (wrong) doings; those truths that otherwise would have remained concealed to the extent of fooling the mob.
Journalists and reporters in conflict zones are considered as civilians as per a 1977 protocol of the Geneva Conventions that make it a war crime to target civilians. Unless there is a strong political will, even the best international law may be fraught with difficulties in rendering justice to media victims.
May 1 is celebrated throughout the world as Labour Day, often called May Day (not to be confused with “Mayday” which is an international distress signal code in radio communication derived from the French “m’aider” meaning “help me”). Its origin is found in the Industrial Revolution that took place in Britain at the end of the 18th century and the beginning of the 19th. There was a fundamental transformation from manual to mechanized labour, which transgressed the socio-cultural barriers. Workers became exposed to poor conditions and irregular hours of work, putting in between 10 to 16 hours in some cases. The concept of the 8-hour work emerged in the struggle for workers’ emancipation; and it spread gradually throughout the other parts of the world.
In Mauritius Labour Day was celebrated for the first time in 1938 under the initiative of Dr. Maurice Curé, an eminent leader of the labour movement at that time. But over the years this “day”, which is a pubic holiday, has been taken over by politicians. It is an occasion for political parties (government and opposition alike) to demonstrate their popularity and force by organizing mass meetings in the main townships of the island. Unions can hardly mobilize their rank and file to the bare 100, while tens of thousands of people flock to the political gatherings. Most of the public buses have been booked to carry people free to the meeting places. Some roads have even been closed to allow for necessary arrangements.
However, in remembrance to those who struggled for workers’ emancipation, wreaths are laid by union leaders as well as political men at the respective tombs. Dr. Maurice Curé, Emanuel Anquetil, Guy Rozemont, Anjalay are but a few of the martyrs of the labour movement in Mauritius. Unions have been organizing talks around a particular theme each year in order to keep their members alert to the happenings of the day.
But there are others for whom Labour Day will mean nothing; it’ll be a day just like any other day. They’ll prefer a round at the seaside or at the hypermarkets or still at the various commercial exhibitions being held at the moment. Oh! Right at this time as I’m writing I overheard, and it’s confirmed by my wife, the TV news announcing government has just decided to prohibit all commercial sales on the 1st May. Are they anticipating low participation at their meeting? Will they be able to pull the shock-giving crowd? Anyway, one cannot underestimate people’s frustration these days with the ever-drastically-increasing prices of all commodities. As low participation means unpopularity, the government doesn’t want to take risks; so it seems.
As for me there’s no special arrangement. I’ll take a good rest in the morning before I get ready for a service and dinner at my niece’s place on the occasion of her birthday. The whole family will be there. You might call it a family day for me, if you wish; well deserved anyway, after long work commitments. It’s long since I’ve distanced myself form political meetings. When I was a trade union leader from 1984 to 1999, I had to show myself in prominent position; no longer now. I better devote my time for more constructive activities. And what’s better than writing?
Just one thing before I pen off, don’t miss the interview I announced yesterday. It’ll be up tomorrow, May 1. I just hope it won’t be a Mayday for me!
The proliferation of diseases from one part of the world to the other is a major concern for all nations. It is one of the consequences of the migratory movement of people. Vulnerability is more than ever increasing. No country is safe. Avian flu, AIDS, dengue and lately chikungunya in certain regions are now a world wide threat. Increased awareness, preventive and protective measures in a well-coordinated and integrated approach to health preparedness planning systems are vital in mitigating the impacts on people’s health and the economy, and damage to infrastructure.
Health is wealth, goes the adage. It is important for every one of us to stop a while on this day when World Health Day is being celebrated the world over, and to ponder on what we can do to address the health issues facing the world. In Mauritius the Ministry of Health and Quality of Life has organized an exhibition from 4 to 7 April at the Rajiv Gandhi Science Centre at Bell Village, Port Louis, on this year’s theme, International health security. Each exhibitor sensitized visitors, mainly school children, around a particular health issue:
(i) the Ministry of Health & Quality of Life focused on the outbreak and methods of chikungunya proliferation and the prevention strategies in place;
(ii) the Ministry of Ago-Industry’s concern was the avian flu;
(iii) Environment Protection Act and Air quality standards were the issues addressed by the Ministry of Environment;
(iv) the Civil Aviation Department dealt with aircraft noise pollution;
(v) the Meteorological Services addressed the issue of climate change and its impact on human health; and
(vi) the Mauritius Tourism Authority exposed the problem of garbage and pest control.
The exhibition was officially opened by the Minister of Health & Quality of Life on 4 April. He highlighted his ministry’s successful campaign in the control of chikungunya which has not shown any sign of reappearance since August last year despite adverse weather conditions.
What if you went to bed one night to wake up the next morning only to be told that education is absolutely free? This means you won’t have to pay the college and university fees for your children. The primary schooling is already free. You scratch your eyes and touch the blanket and the bed or the bedside table, to make sure you are in your senses.
And what if you woke up another morning and you learnt this time that your children will travel free to school. You won’t have the trouble to count the coins every morning for the bus conductor. And that’s not all. Your grandpa or grandma or your dad or mom past 60 would wander wherever and whenever they feel like without a single cent in their pocket, except for their food and shelter. They’d just have to show their pensioner’s card no questions asked.
Kidding? Dreaming? No, that’s absolutely true. It happens only in Mauritius. Provided you are in the elections periods.
In 1976 the Labour Party managed to entice the population with a free education promise. The bait worked.
In 2005 the rejuvenated Labour Party, came out with a promise of free transport to all school children and old age pensioners. This was estimated to cost around Rs 600 million (20 million USD). Peanuts, they said. We prone equal opportunities and want excellence in our education. No child should fail on account of pecuniary handicap. The hook was well baited again.
The popular impacts of such pertinent pompous proposals are far-reaching. Once in power the Government has to live up to its promise willy-nilly, although the economic pointers are on red. In no time the honeymoon turns into nightmare. The honey becomes bitter day by day as the people start paying the price of such bounties. You can no longer keep track of the price jets.
But when your children have studied for five years for the School Certificate (SC) or seven for the Higher School Certificate (HSC) and the time comes for the final examinations, you have to pay the exam fees as required by Cambridge. You now learn that the fees have gone up and you have to pay a lot more than you expected with your constantly depreciating rupee. On top of that the government has removed the 50% subsidy on such payment.
That’s the hard fact the people are facing today, and the reason for the sustained protest marches. Tens of hundreds of people, students, unions, political parties and socio-cultural groups have joined in to stage protests. They are asking to meet the government. A protest march held on the 9th and another one on 23rd March heralds what it’s going to be like when the movement gains momentum as the pressure groups keep the pot boiling through radio talks and poster campaigns.
The Government has already made it clear that nothing is going to make a difference. The new policy of cutting down the 50% subsidy on the exam fees was announced in the presentation of the last annual budget and everybody is aware of it. It’s only when the deadline for payments is approaching that the outcry has surfaced. In a spirit of compromise and understanding with the lower income groups the government has agreed to maintain its subsidy to those whose total family income does not exceed Rs 7500 per month (approx. 250 USD). Others will have to pay the full amount.
In a gesture of further compromise Government has just announced a 25% subsidy to those families with a monthly income higher that Rs 10000 (USD 300). Perhaps people will have to wait for the next elections to have a waiver. Who knows what the bait will be like this time. But the rallye scheduled for 30th March is being maintained. It would be another May 1975, they say.
Health is free. Education is free. Transport is free to school children and old age pensioners. A student will certainly go up to the SC or HSC free. But he may become a failure for want of exam fees, if their parents can’t afford. Despite Government’s initiatives to facilitate financing of the exam fees through soft loans at preferential rates and some companies even offering advances to their employees whose children would take part in the exams, there is still widespread reticence. This means another claim for a free ride. If only it were the eve of the elections. How long can we afford such bounties? Even the most developed countries haven’t ventured that much, I’m sure.
But that’s welfare state in Mauritius.
“Water, water, every where…nor any drop to drink,” (The ancient mariner).
Water covers two-thirds of the globe. Yet, for many, it’s a scarce commodity. In some parts of the world, to a great extent in Haiti and the rural sub-saharan African regions, people, mostly women and young girls, have to walk hours and miles before they can have some water for their households. Very often such water is polluted and therefore unsafe for drinking. Children in tender ages are the most vulnerable. Reports suggest that about 1.1 billion people (nearly one-fifth of the world’s population) lack access to safe drinking water. About 90% of deaths arising from contaminated water consumption involve children under the age of five.
Have we ever reflected on the extent of impact of such scarcity on the education and development of people? Let’s stop a while on the theme of this year’s World Water Day: “Coping with water scarcity”. Let’s save that small drop to make the difference.
World Water Day celebrated on 22nd March was designated by the UN General Assembly in 1992 “to draw attention to the critical lack of clean, safe drinking water world wide”.
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