Valentina Industrial Estate was established since 1985 by the ?DBM (Development Bank of Mauritius)? as a way to boost the economy. No due respect and concern were shown to the community living nearby. The most important thing was for the economy to prosper in order to cater for the future needs of the next generation (which is us, of course). This has been quite successful to an extent. The industrial boom along with the Sugar industry and the Tourism industry helped in developing Mauritius and put us on the world map. That was a great thing! I mean, who knows where we would have been had it not been for these industries?!

These industrial estates concept are obviously a great thing. We should probably build a couple more of these little toys. You put all the industries in a zone and tell them to do what they want, to pollute whoever they want, at any rate and at any time of the day. It is a fact that any new development brings side effects which are always negative. We have been ?polluted? for so many years, but so what! It has been at the expense of the development of Mauritius and it can be said that the majority wins as usual. The population is happy except from a few protests from us (Valentina die-hards), and some other pollution protests like Mare Chicose and Rose-Belle. We get on with our life and act as if everything?s fine. But what is exasperating and frustrating (both can add up to a complete wreck) and this is what my pledge is all about is the lack of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) by the industries located at Valentina Industrial Estate.

Corporate social responsibility is necessarily an evolving term that does not have a standard definition or a fully recognized set of specific criteria. CSR focuses on the social, environmental and financial success of a company with the goal to positively impact society while achieving business success and addressing shareholder and stakeholder expectations. CSR is generally accepted as applying to firms wherever they operate in the domestic and global economy. CSR commitments and activities typically address aspects of a firm?s behaviour (including its policies and practices) with respect to such key elements as; health and safety, environmental protection, human rights, human resource management practices, corporate governance, community development, and consumer protection, labour protection, supplier relations, business ethics, and stakeholder rights.

Corporations are motivated to involve stakeholders in their decision-making and to address societal challenges because today?s stakeholders are increasingly aware of the importance and impact of corporate decisions upon society and the environment. The stakeholders can reward or punish corporations. Corporations can be motivated to change their corporate behaviour in response to the business case which a CSR approach potentially promises.

This includes:

1. stronger financial performance and profitability (e.g. through eco-efficiency),

2. improved accountability to and assessments from the investment community,

3. enhanced employee commitment,

4. decreased vulnerability through stronger relationships with communities, and

5. improved reputation and branding.

If we take a look at the industries present at Valentina, some big names come up and it can be said that the Industrial Estate is a rather prestigious one. ?Shibani?, ?Soniawear?, ?Ramdenee Edible Oils?, and, last but not least, our record breaker in the ?most profitable industry competition? in Mauritius, the ?CMT?.

A symbol in itself, a legend in the making for the future young kids, with a profit that is beyond our imagination?

As we are all aware, fierce competitions due to globalization & from China especially (made in China concept) are causing constraints. Industries have had to find new ways in order to lower costs and become more profit maximizing. Total Quality Management (TQM), Gemba Kaizen (Japanese concept), Time Management, specialization of workers through training, mechanization & mass production are all being greedily used by industries to become more competitive. Some are even ready to indulge in illegal activities! Recent example being the CMT (again!) who employed foreigners to work for more than 60 hrs/week thus, going against the ?Labour Act?. Even if ?CMT? argued that the contract was between the foreigners and the foreign agent, it was their duty to enforce the law and not go against it by employing them on illegal terms.

All the industries are ready to use and experiment the concepts that I have just mentioned but unfortunately, none are ready to go for the CSR, the most beautiful concept. It has been proved that companies who participate in social activities have become more successful and their image (vital for foreign dealings) have been improved?

The industries located at Valentina should be ashamed by their current behaviour and lack of total understanding. Ok, I know most readers would question my negative attitude towards the industries. Some will even argue that those industries concerned are not welfare organizations who will give out their profits to the community. But one important thing that needs to be pointed out is that stakeholders include the owners, shareholders, staff, customers, suppliers, government & last but not least, the community itself !!

Valentina could do with some help from CMT, Shibani, Soniawear etc. Firstly, our bridge is in poor conditions and there is no pavement which makes it a nightmare (during daytime!!, of course) for the inhabitants. There is a No Entry sign for buses and lorries weighting more than 5 tons which means that each time we see a lorry, we got to decide whether it weighs more than 5 tons and if it has the right to pass on that bridge. By the time we got our calculation right, the lorry has already disappeared! Not to mention, that the CNT bus going to Henrietta does not even care about any sign and doesn?t bother to take a longer route.

Secondly, we could do with some donations to improve the overall infrastructure of Valentina. Some houses have become rusty with those black smokes and believe me, the inhabitants have not asked for it.

Thirdly, the lack of recreational activities is starting to become seriously an issue. We got to walk 10 minutes to go Closel playground for a bit of sport action. There are no activities for the kids, nothing for the young adults, nothing for the old persons. Do we even exist or not?!

We are not begging for money, we are only asking for our rights. The right to feel recognized by industries that are so close yet so far. The right to be given our dues. The right that our stakeholder status gives us.

The industries at Valentina must definitely do something for us. We have been waiting far too long. . .

Irshaad LALLMAHOMED

A very frustrated inhabitant