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Judex Ramphul
<B><I>President of the union of fishermen of Mauritius</I></B>
What is the feeling among fishermen following the announcement of the zoning reform by the government?</B>
On Sunday, all the executives of fishermen’s groups of the island met. In fact we held a meeting to see whether we could find a solution for the zoning problem. We found out that, if the government sticks to its decision regarding the zoning reform, our situation will be terrible! Today we will meet the minister of Fishing, Arvin Boolell. If a solution cannot be found, we will organise a protest march on 1st September. We will ask for the minister’s resignation! In the whole history of Mauritius, a government has never come up with the decision to take away the allowances of fishermen! Moreover, such a reform can lead to a social crisis among all fishermen!
But what does the zoning reform mean exactly?</B>
It consists of dividing the country into four zones. The first zone is between Cap-Malheureux and and Pointe-aux-Sables. The second between Pointe-aux-Sables and Le Morne. The third between Le Morne and Mahébourg. The fourth from Mahébourg to Cap-Malheureux. Now let’s imagine the wind is blowing from the North-East, in zone 4. They think the wind will blow only there! How can they predict such things? The wind might well continue till zone 1! Have they placed sophisticated equipment to predict such things? I don’t think so!
According to you, why has the ministry decided to review this zoning? Had they warned you they would do it?</B>
No! I think the government is using the difficult economic situation as an excuse. They say they have to take away these allowances from the fishermen to improve the difficult economic situation. I personally do not think this is a way to improve the economy of our country. They are making poor people like fishermen become even poorer. This is very unfair! Another example is when they decided to stop giving bread to children in school. They are not going to improve the economic situation with such measures!
<B> Why are fishermen’s lives so hard now?</B>
A fisherman earns only Rs 4,000 to Rs 4,500 every month. You have to take off Rs 1,000 for expenses (hooks and other fishing tackle). It is hard to cope with this kind of salary bearing in mind lots of them have families to feed. Nowadays life is difficult. But what makes them even angrier is what happened earlier this month. Indeed, fishermen should have received their allowance on 28th July. This time we got it o 11th August. The government did not even warn us. Hence no fisherman had taken his precautions!
What should the government do?</B>
They should go back on this zoning reform. They should revert to the old method. Then, we would be ready to sit down with them and discuss potential solutions to the problem. We are ready to discuss, to contribute. They cannot come up with such a harsh decision from one day to the next. I also call on every one, especially lawyers and religious leaders to come and help us.
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