Global unions have condemned the dismissal of trade union leaders in Mauritius for refusing to allow unilateral changes to their collective bargaining agreements. Mr Luximun Badal, president of the Union of Post Office Workers Branch No. 2, and Mr Shavindra Dinoo Sunassee, ex-president of the Airports of Mauritius Limited Employees Union, have both been affected by these targeted dismissals.
Mr Luximun Badal was dismissed by Mauritius Post Ltd on 18 June 2020 for alleged refusal of a unilateral transfer following disputes over the negotiation of a new collective bargaining agreement for the postal workers, the previous agreement having lapsed on 31 December 2017. Mr Badal had an agreement brokered by the Ministry of Labour, Human Resource Development and Training on 18 February 2016 that protected him from being transferred as long as he was the president of the union.
Furthermore, Mauritius Post Ltd defied a court ruling from 18 October 2020 by the Employment Tribunal ordering the company to disclose information relevant to collective bargaining.
Unions note a clear pattern of targeted dismissals against workers’ representatives, with the aim of undermining the voice of workers.
Mr Shavindra Dinoo Sundassee was dismissed on 25 July 2020 by the Airports of Mauritius Ltd. This dismissal followed attempts by management to unilaterally vary the terms of a collective bargaining agreement in December 2018. The trade union, under Mr Sundassee’s leadership, rejected the proposed variation, as it would have created an erosion of workplace rights. The union claims that the company retaliated by revoking the trade union’s access to facilities and equipment as well as by making false allegations against Mr Sundassee.
