ÿWPC[ _o_¹LOŸFïŠøë³L!í&"„\ûñôíù7þx”BQªnyųUa5°àJº'“½ÁÚŽˆ+×È"åjùÁÖ²mïßwGá3;z BU(…ÏMVþdÖÖÛû7¶;ˆúflàØ"b‡5zÞ0¦ð #Á¶UNw %Å 0:Ë^ w4)8 m:QNY˜BROTHER HL-6,È,,,,,È0&Öd9 Z‹6Times New Roman RegularX(üœ$¡¡ÔUSUS.,Ô«$* ø¶u)ôŸ3|xÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ Ý ƒüœ!ÝÔUSUS.,ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÓ  Óà@BB&ìàÔ€¼i»XXÔò òMAURITIUSˆÐ ° ÐÌÔ€Xº_X»¼iÔÌÔ_ÔCESCRÔ_Ô€E/1995/22Ð Ä ÐÌÌó ó165.€€The€Committee€considered€the€state€of€implementation€by€Mauritius€of€the€economic,€social€andÐ ˆ Ø Ðcultural€rights€contained€in€the€Covenant€at€its€22òòndóó€and€23òòrdóó€meetings€on€17€and€18€May€and,€at€itsÐ t Ä Ð24òòthóó€meeting€on€18€May€1994,€adopted€the€following€concluding€observations.Ð ` ° ÐÌA.€€€€òòReview€of€the€implementation€of€the€Covenant€in€relation€to€States€parties€which€have€failed€toÐ 8ˆ  ÐreportóóÐ $t  ÐÌ166.€€At€its€seventh€session,€the€Committee€on€Economic,€Social€and€Cultural€Rights€decided€toÐ üL  Ðproceed€to€a€consideration€of€the€state€of€implementation€of€the€Covenant€on€Economic,€Social€andÐ è8  ÐCultural€Rights€in€a€number€of€States€parties€which,€despite€many€requests€to€do€so,€had€not€fulfilledÐ Ô$ Ðtheir€reporting€obligations€under€articles€16€and€17€of€the€Covenant.Ð À ÐÌ167.€€The€purpose€of€the€reporting€system€established€by€the€Covenant€is€for€the€States€parties€toÐ ˜è Ðreport€to€the€competent€monitoring€body,€the€Committee€on€Economic,€Social€and€Cultural€Rights,Ð „Ô Ðand€through€it,€to€the€Economic€and€Social€Council,€on€the€measures€which€they€have€adopted,€theÐ pÀ Ðprogress€made,€and€the€difficulties€encountered€in€achieving€the€observance€of€the€rights€recognizedÐ \¬ Ðin€the€Covenant.€€Non„performance€by€a€State€party€of€its€reporting€obligations,€in€addition€toÐ H˜ Ðconstituting€a€breach€of€the€Covenant,€creates€a€severe€obstacle€to€the€fulfilment€of€the€CommitteeððsÐ 4„ Ðfunction.€€Nevertheless,€the€Committee€has€to€perform€its€supervisory€role€in€such€cases,€and€mustÐ  p Ðdo€so€on€the€basis€of€all€reliable€information€available€to€it.Ð  \ ÐÌ168.€€In€situations€in€which€a€Government€has€not€supplied€the€Committee€with€any€information€asÐ ä4 Ðto€how€it€evaluates€its€own€compliance€with€its€obligations€under€the€Covenant,€the€Committee€hasÐ Ð  Ðto€base€its€observations€on€a€variety€of€materials€stemming€from€both€intergovernmental€and€non„Ð ¼  Ðgovernmental€sources.€€While€the€former€provide€mainly€statistical€information€and€apply€importantÐ ¨ ø Ðeconomic€and€social€indicators,€the€information€gathered€from€the€relevant€academic€literature,€fromÐ ”!ä Ðnon„governmental€organizations€and€from€the€press€tends€by€its€very€nature€to€be€more€critical€of€theÐ €"Ð  Ðpolitical,€economic€and€social€conditions€in€the€countries€concerned.€€Under€normal€circumstances,Ð l#¼! Ðthe€constructive€dialogue€between€a€State€party€reporting€and€the€Committee€will€provide€anÐ X$¨" Ðopportunity€for€the€Government€concerned€to€voice€its€own€view,€and€to€seek€to€refute€such€criticismÐ D%” # Ðand€convince€the€Committee€of€the€conformity€of€its€policies€with€what€is€required€by€the€Covenant.€Ð 0&€!$ ÐNon„submission€of€reports€and€non„appearance€before€the€Committee€deprives€a€Government€of€thisÐ 'l"% Ðpossibility€to€set€the€record€straight.Ð (X#& ÐÌB.€€òòIntroductionóóÐ à)0%( ÐÌ169.€€Mauritius€has€been€a€party€to€the€Covenant€since€3€January€1976,€the€date€of€its€entry€into€force.€Ð ¸+'* ÐSince€then,€it€has€not€submitted€a€single€report.€€The€Committee€strongly€urges€the€Government€ofÐ ¤,ô'+ ÐMauritius€to€fulfil€its€reporting€obligations€as€soon€as€possible,€so€that€the€Covenant€can€be€given€fullÐ -à(, Ðeffect€for€the€benefit€of€the€people€of€Mauritius.€€The€Committee€considers€that€non„fulfilment€of€aÐ ° ÐState€partyððs€reporting€obligations€constitutes€a€grave€impediment€to€effective€and€adequateÐ œì Ðimplementation€of€the€Covenant.Ð ˆØ ÐÌC.€€òòFactors€and€difficulties€impeding€the€implementation€of€the€CovenantóóÐ `° ÐÌ170.€€The€Committee€takes€note€of€the€fact€that,€although€Mauritius€has€in€recent€years€succeededÐ 8 ˆ Ðin€diversifying€its€economy€and€reducing€its€dependence€on€sugar€production,€sugar„cane€stillÐ $ t Ðaccounts€for€more€than€two€thirds€of€the€contribution€of€the€agricultural€sector€to€Ô_ÔGDPÔ_Ô€and€for€aboutÐ  ` Ðone€third€of€export€earnings.€€This€circumstance€makes€the€economy€of€Mauritius€vulnerable€toÐ ü L  Ðfluctuations€in€sugar€export.€€About€75€per€cent€of€the€countryððs€food€requirements€have€to€beÐ è 8  Ðimported.€€The€Committee€also€notes€that€the€rapid€economic€growth€of€the€mid„1980s€has€slowedÐ Ô$  Ðdown€as€a€result€of€Ô_ÔlabourÔ_Ô€shortages.€€The€Committee€is€not€aware€of€any€further€difficulties€whichÐ À  Ðmight€impede€the€application€of€the€Covenant€by€Mauritius.Ð ¬ü  ÐÌD.€€òòPositive€aspectsóóÐ „Ô  ÐÌ171.€€The€Committee€notes€that€the€overall€economic€performance€of€Mauritius€in€recent€decades€hasÐ \¬ Ðbeen€impressive.€€Its€human€development€index€has€increased€from€0.525€in€1970€to€0.793€in€1992.€Ð H˜ ÐMauritius€thus€stands€at€the€top€of€the€list€of€African€countries€in€this€regard.€€Per€capita€incomeÐ 4„ Ðtrebled€between€1982€and€1992.€€Unemployment€is€all€but€eradicated.€€This€success€has€come€aboutÐ  p Ðthrough€heavy€investment€in€human€development.€€Education€has€until€recently€been€free€at€all€levels.€Ð  \ ÐThe€combined€primary€and€secondary€enrolment€rate€rose€from€62€per€cent€in€1970€to€77€per€centÐ øH Ðin€1989.€€The€overall€literacy€rate€is€moving€towards€90€per€cent€and€has€passed€95€per€cent€for€theÐ ä4 Ðage€group€up€to€30€years.€€A€vigorous€birth€control€campaign€has€brought€down€the€rate€ofÐ Ð  Ðpopulation€growth€from€over€2€per€cent€a€year€in€the€1960s€to€less€than€1€per€cent€today.€€The€infantÐ ¼  Ðmortality€rate€as€well€as€other€health€indicators€are€improving€constantly.€€Mauritius€provides€anÐ ¨ø Ðexample€of€a€country€where€structural€adjustment€appears€to€have€worked€to€the€benefit€of€the€entireÐ ”ä Ðpopulation.€€Mauritius€has€aptly€been€called€a€ð ðcultural€laboratoryðð€and€a€ð ðrainbow€nationðð,€in€whichÐ €Ð Ða€variety€of€religious€and€cultural€groups€and€communities€live€together€peacefully€in€a€spirit€ofÐ l¼ Ðmutual€respect€and€tolerance.Ð X ¨ ÐÌE.€€òòPrincipal€subjects€of€concernóóÐ 0"€  ÐÌ172.€€With€regard€to€the€general€provisions€of€the€Covenant,€in€particular€article€3,€the€CommitteeÐ $X" Ðnotes€with€concern€that,€despite€the€efforts€of€the€Government,€women€still€occupy€a€subordinate€roleÐ ô$D # Ðin€Mauritian€society.€€Discrimination€and€violence€against€women€continue€to€be€social€problems,€alsoÐ à%0!$ Ðaffecting€the€enjoyment€by€women€of€economic,€social€and€cultural€rights.€€Further€observations€onÐ Ì&"% Ðthe€prevalence€of€gender€discrimination€are€to€be€found€in€paragraphs€180€and€181€below.Ð ¸'#& ÐÌ173.€€Article€6€of€the€Covenant€enshrines€the€right€of€everyone€to€gain€his€living€by€work€which€heÐ )à$( Ðfreely€chooses€or€accepts.€€In€the€light€of€this€provision,€the€Committee€is€concerned€about€certainÐ |*Ì%) Ðprovisions€of€the€Merchant€Shipping€Act,€No.€28€of€1986,€according€to€which€certain€breaches€ofÐ h+¸&* Ðdiscipline€by€seamen€are€punishable€by€imprisonment€(involving€an€obligation€to€perform€Ô_ÔlabourÔ_Ô),€andÐ T,¤'+ Ðforeign€seamen€may€be€forcibly€conveyed€on€board€ships€to€perform€their€duties.€€These€provisionsÐ @-(, Ðare€a€subject€of€concern€also€to€the€ILO€Committee€of€Experts€on€the€Application€of€Conventions€andÐ ° ÐRecommendations.Ð œì ÐÌ174.€€With€regard€to€article€7€of€the€Covenant,€there€exists€no€legislation€requiring€equal€pay€for€equalÐ tÄ Ðwork.€€In€this€regard,€the€Committee€notes€with€concern€that€in€the€agricultural€sector€of€theÐ `° ÐMauritian€economy,€for€work€of€the€same€value,€women€are€paid€lower€wages€on€the€statedÐ L œ Ðassumption€that€their€productivity€is€lower€in€such€Ô_ÔlabourÔ_Ô„intensive€work.€€The€Committee€is€alsoÐ 8 ˆ Ðconcerned€about€excessive€overtime€work€in€the€Export€Processing€Zones.€€In€these€zones€the€Ô_ÔLabourÔ_ÔÐ $ t ÐAct€does€not€apply€fully,€which€leaves€more€than€80,000€workers€unprotected.€€Further,€concern€isÐ  ` Ðexpressed€about€the€ineffective€enforcement€of€health€and€safety€standards,€as€a€consequence€of€whichÐ ü L  Ðfatal€industrial€accidents€have€increased€in€recent€years.€€With€regard€to€around€10,000€foreignÐ è 8  Ðworkers,€mainly€in€the€textile€and€construction€industries,€the€Government€appears€to€show€littleÐ Ô$  Ðwillingness€to€ensure€that€these€people€are€€treated€in€accordance€with€article€7€of€the€Covenant€andÐ À  Ðwith€the€pertinent€international€Ô_ÔlabourÔ_Ô€standards.Ð ¬ü  ÐÌ175.€€Moving€to€article€8€of€the€Covenant,€the€Committee€expresses€its€concern€about€the€restrictionsÐ „Ô  Ðof€the€right€to€form€trade€unions€in€force€under€the€Industrial€Relations€Act,€1973.€€Further,€genuineÐ pÀ Ðcollective€bargaining€is€not€Ô_ÔpractisedÔ_Ô€in€Mauritius.€€Wages€and€benefits€are€in€effect€determined€byÐ \¬ Ðthe€Government.€€The€Committee€is€particularly€concerned,€however,€about€the€fact€that€the€right€toÐ H˜ Ðstrike,€although€recognized€in€theory,€cannot€be€exercised€in€practice€because€the€Industrial€RelationsÐ 4„ ÐAct,€1973€requires€a€21„day€cooling„off€period€and€empowers€the€minister€to€refer€any€industrialÐ  p Ðdispute€to€compulsory€arbitration,€enforceable€by€penalties€involving€compulsory€Ô_ÔlabourÔ_Ô.€€This€hasÐ  \ Ðthe€effect€of€making€most€strikes€illegal.€€Participation€in€a€strike€not€approved€by€a€court€is€aÐ øH Ðsufficient€ground€for€dismissal.€€In€this€regard,€the€Committee€notes€with€concern€that€the€respectiveÐ ä4 Ðrecommendations€submitted€in€May€1992€by€the€Special€Law€Review€Committee€set€up€to€review,Ð Ð  Ðòòinter€aliaóó,€òòóóthe€Industrial€Relations€Act€(Ô_ÔGarriochÔ_Ô€Committee)€have€not€yet€been€released€by€theÐ ¼  ÐGovernment.€€Instead,€the€proposed€Trade€Union€and€Ô_ÔLabourÔ_Ô€Relations€Act,€which€is€to€replace€theÐ ¨ø ÐIndustrial€Relations€Act,€appears€in€some€respects€to€be€even€less€Ô_ÔfavourableÔ_Ô€to€trade€unions.€€TheÐ ”ä ÐCommittee€still€shares€the€hope€of€the€ILO€Committee€of€Experts€that€the€Government€will€limitÐ €Ð Ðcompulsory€Ô_ÔlabourÔ_Ô€to€services€whose€interruption€is€likely€to€endanger€the€life,€personal€safety€orÐ l¼ Ðhealth€of€the€whole€or€part€of€the€population.€€However,€it€cannot€but€state€a€certain€tendency€on€theÐ X ¨ Ðpart€of€the€Government€of€Mauritius€to€use€Ô_ÔlabourÔ_Ô€legislation€to€block€trade€union€recognition€andÐ D!” Ðdismiss€workers.€€The€Committeeððs€general€impression€is€that€Mauritius€is€returning€to€its€originalÐ 0"€  Ðtradition,€according€to€which€Government€supports€firm€control€by€employers€over€their€workers.Ð #l! ÐÌ176.€€Regarding€article€9,€the€Committee€notes€that,€according€to€a€report€submitted€by€theÐ ô$D # ÐGovernment€of€Mauritius€to€the€Committee€on€the€Elimination€of€Discrimination€against€Women€inÐ à%0!$ Ð1992,€no€employment€insurance€exists.Ð Ì&"% ÐÌ177.€€Concerning€article€10,€the€Committee€notes€with€regret€that€Mauritian€child€Ô_ÔlabourÔ_Ô€legislationÐ ¤(ô#' Ðis€not€strictly€enforced.€€It€further€takes€note€of€the€Governmentððs€own€view€expressed€in€its€report,Ð )à$( Ðthat€Mauritius€does€not€have€a€comprehensive€system€of€family€benefits€through€which€all€familiesÐ |*Ì%) Ðbenefit€in€a€universal€manner,€and€that€the€system€of€family€allowances€should€be€reviewed€becauseÐ h+¸&* Ðthe€present€regulations€penalize€the€very€families€that€need€the€allowance€most.Ð T,¤'+ ÐÐ @-(, Ð178.€€Regarding€the€right€to€food,€the€Committee€is€concerned€about€the€fact€that€in€June€1993€theÐ ° ÐMauritian€Government€abolished€subsidies€on€rice€and€flour€without€replacing€them€by€a€system€thatÐ œì Ðwould€guarantee€food€security€for€the€most€vulnerable€groups€of€the€population.Ð ˆØ ÐÌ179.€€Regarding€the€right€to€housing,€the€Committee€expresses€its€concern€about€the€discontinuationÐ `° Ðof€the€Governmentððs€Ô_ÔprogrammeÔ_Ô€for€providing€low„cost€housing€in€Mauritius.€€In€this€regard,€theÐ L œ ÐHousing€Development€Company€Ltd.,€established€in€1992,€is€in€no€position€to€replace€the€formerÐ 8 ˆ ÐCentral€Housing€Authority,€as€was€sadly€demonstrated€after€the€recent€cyclone€Ô_ÔHollandaÔ_Ô.€€Further,Ð $ t Ðconcern€is€expressed€with€regard€to€Government€harassment€of€hundreds€of€homeless€people€whoÐ  ` Ðbuilt€shacks€on€ð ðState€landðð.Ð ü L  ÐÌ180.€€With€regard€to€article€12,€the€Committee€notes€the€deplorable€state€of€mental€health€care€inÐ Ô$  ÐMauritius.€€It€is€also€concerned€about€information€according€to€which€half€the€maternal€deaths€sinceÐ À  Ð1982€have€been€due€to€complications€following€abortion,€which€is€prohibited€by€law.Ð ¬ü  ÐÌ181.€€With€regard€to€article€13,€the€Committee€takes€note€of€the€flaws€in€the€educational€system€ofÐ „Ô  ÐMauritius€pointed€out€in€its€report€and€of€the€measures€foreseen€to€improve€the€situation.€€InÐ pÀ Ðparticular,€it€notes€that€the€Mauritian€school€system€is€extremely€competitive,€which€leads€toÐ \¬ Ðwidespread,€Government„encouraged€and€costly€private€tuition€and€thus€renders€access€to€secondaryÐ H˜ Ðand€tertiary€education€more€difficult€for€the€poorer€segments€of€the€population.€€The€Committee€isÐ 4„ Ðalso€concerned€about€the€reintroduction€of€fees€at€the€tertiary€level€of€education,€which€constitutesÐ  p Ða€deliberate€retrogressive€step.€€The€Committee€further€notes€with€concern€that€Ô_ÔKreolÔ_Ô€and€Ô_ÔBhojpuriÔ_Ô,Ð  \ Ðthe€only€languages€spoken€by€the€large€majority€of€the€population,€are€not€used€in€the€MauritianÐ øH Ðeducational€system.Ð ä4 ÐÌ182.€€Regarding€article€15€of€the€Covenant,€the€Committee€is€concerned€that€the€use€of€the€two€mainÐ ¼  Ðlanguages€spoken€by€92€per€cent€of€the€population,€namely€Ô_ÔKreolÔ_Ô€and€Ô_ÔBhojpuriÔ_Ô,€is€still€banned€in€theÐ ¨ø ÐMauritian€National€Assembly€and€actively€discouraged€in€all€Government€institutions.Ð ”ä ÐÌ183.€€The€Committee€is€also€concerned€that€the€population€of€the€island€of€Ô_ÔRodriguesÔ_Ô€enjoys€the€rightÐ l¼ Ðto€health€and€the€right€to€education€to€a€markedly€lesser€degree€than€the€people€on€the€island€ofÐ X ¨ ÐMauritius€itself.Ð D!” ÐÌF.€€òòSuggestions€and€recommendationsóóÐ #l! ÐÌ184.€€The€Committee€reiterates€its€request€that€the€Government€of€Mauritius€should€activelyÐ ô$D # Ðparticipate€in€a€constructive€dialogue€with€the€Committee€about€how€the€obligations€arising€from€theÐ à%0!$ ÐInternational€Covenant€on€Economic,€Social€and€Cultural€Rights€can€be€fulfilled€in€a€more€adequateÐ Ì&"% Ðmanner.€€It€calls€to€the€Governmentððs€attention€the€fact€that€the€Covenant€creates€a€legal€obligationÐ ¸'#& Ðfor€all€States€parties€to€submit€periodic€reports€and€that€Mauritius€has€been€in€breach€of€this€obligationÐ ¤(ô#' Ðfor€many€years.Ð )à$( ÐÌ185.€€The€Committee€recommends€that€the€Government€of€Mauritius€should€avail€itself€of€theÐ h+¸&* Ðadvisory€services€of€the€United€Nations€Ô_ÔCentreÔ_Ô€for€Human€Rights€in€order€to€enable€it€to€submit€asÐ T,¤'+ Ðsoon€as€possible€a€comprehensive€report€on€the€implementation€of€the€Covenant€in€conformity€withÐ @-(, Ðthe€Revised€General€Guidelines€adopted€by€the€Committee€in€1990€(E/C.12/1991/1)€and€withÐ ° Ðparticular€emphasis€on€the€issues€raised€and€concerns€expressed€in€the€present€concludingÐ œì Ðobservations.Ð ˆØ ÐÌÐ  `° Ðò òÔ_ÔCESCRÔ_Ô€E/1996/22Ð ° ÐÌÌó ó228.€€The€Committee€considered€the€initial€report€of€Mauritius€on€articles€1€to€15€of€the€CovenantÐ tÄ Ð(E/1990/5/Add.21)€at€its€40òòthóó,€41òòstóó€and€43òòrdóó€meetings€on€27€and€28€November€1995€and,€at€its€55òòthóóÐ `° Ðmeeting€on€6€December€1995,€adopted€the€following€concluding€observations.Ð L œ Ѐ€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€Ð 8 ˆ ÐA.€€òòIntroductionóóÐ $ t ÐÌ229.€€The€Committee€welcomes€the€comprehensive€initial€report€of€the€State€party,€prepared€inÐ ü L  Ðaccordance€with€its€revised€general€guidelines,€which€was€submitted€shortly€after€substantiveÐ è 8  Ðconcluding€observations€were€adopted€by€the€Committee€in€May€1994.€The€Committee€recalls€that,Ð Ô$  Ðprior€to€this,€Mauritius€had€not€fulfilled€its€reporting€obligations€under€articles€16€and€17€of€theÐ À  ÐCovenant€since€it€became€a€State€party€on€3€January€1976.€In€the€continued€absence€of€the€report,Ð ¬ü  Ðthe€Committee€proceeded€at€its€tenth€session€to€consider€the€state€of€implementation€by€MauritiusÐ ˜è  Ðof€the€economic,€social€and€cultural€rights€contained€in€the€Covenant.Ð „Ô  ÐÌ230.€€The€Committee€thanks€the€State€party€for€the€written€response€to€the€list€of€issues€and€for€theÐ \¬ Ðadditional€information€during€its€open€and€constructive€dialogue€with€the€Committee.Ð H˜ ÐÌB.€€òòFactors€and€difficulties€impeding€the€implementation€of€the€CovenantóóÐ  p ÐÌ231.€€The€Committee€considers€that,€notwithstanding€the€geographical€isolation€of€the€island€ofÐ øH ÐÔ_ÔRodriguesÔ_Ô€and€the€consequent€logistical€problems€in€the€delivery€of€basic€government€services,€a€factÐ ä4 Ðwhich€is€a€considerable€impediment,€the€Mauritian€Government€is€still€under€the€obligation€to€ensureÐ Ð  Ðthe€enjoyment€by€the€population€of€Ô_ÔRodriguesÔ_Ô€of€its€economic,€social€and€cultural€rights.Ð ¼  ÐÌC.òò€€Positive€aspectsóóÐ ”ä Ѐ€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€Ð €Ð Ð232.€€The€Committee€commends€the€positive€reaction€by€the€State€party€to€the€concludingÐ l¼ Ðobservations€referred€to€in€paragraph€229€above,€which€have€been€taken€into€account€in€introducingÐ X ¨ Ðchanges€in€Mauritian€law.€In€particular€it€welcomes€the€amendments€in€August€1995€of€Section€16Ð D!” Ðof€the€Constitution€of€Mauritius,€which€now€prohibits€discrimination€on€the€basis€of€gender€in€additionÐ 0"€  Ðto€"color€or€creed",€and€of€the€Citizenship€Act€of€1968,€removing€gender€discrimination€in€relationÐ #l! Ðto€foreign€spouses€of€Mauritians.Ð $X" ÐÌ233.€€The€Committee€notes€with€satisfaction€the€repeal€of€the€1984€Newspaper€and€Periodicals€Act,Ð à%0!$ Ðwhich€had€hindered€the€freedom€of€expression€regarding€the€Government's€policies,€including€in€theÐ Ì&"% Ðsphere€of€economic,€social€and€cultural€rights.Ð ¸'#& ÐÌ234.€€The€Committee€appreciates€the€measures€being€taken€by€the€State€party€to€improve€legislationÐ )à$( Ðin€the€field€of€mental€health€and€physical€disability.Ð |*Ì%) ÐÌ235.€€The€Committee€notes€with€satisfaction€that€the€continuing€economic€growth€in€Mauritius€hasÐ T,¤'+ Ðbeen€accompanied€by€considerable€achievements€in€human€development,€a€fact€already€noted€in€theÐ @-(, Ðconcluding€observations€of€May€1994.€The€statistical€profile€on€Ô_ÔsocioÔ_Ô-economic€indicators€reflectsÐ ° Ða€positive€assertion€of€the€avowed€commitment€by€the€Government€to€ensure€better€education,€healthÐ œì Ðand€nutrition€and€a€cleaner€environment,€to€improve€the€quality€of€life,€and€to€promote€equality.Ð ˆØ ÐÌ236.€€The€Committee€notes€with€appreciation€the€readiness€of€the€State€party,€as€expressed€by€theÐ `° Ðdelegation,€to€continue€constructive€dialogue€and€cooperation€with€the€Committee,€with€a€view€toÐ L œ Ðensuring€the€effective€implementation€of€the€provisions€of€the€Covenant.Ð 8 ˆ ÐÌD.€€òòPrincipal€subjects€of€concernóóÐ  ` Ѐ€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€Ð ü L  Ð237.€€The€Committee€reiterates€its€concern€that,€despite€encouraging€developments€in€legislation,Ð è 8  Ðwomen€in€Mauritius€continue€to€occupy€a€subordinate€role€in€society€affecting€their€full€enjoymentÐ Ô$  Ðof€economic,€social€and€cultural€rights,€particularly€in€the€area€of€equal€pay€for€men€and€women.€InÐ À  Ðthe€agricultural€sector€for€example,€the€Committee€is€not€satisfied€with€the€explanation€ofÐ ¬ü  Ð"differentiation€but€not€discrimination"€proffered€by€the€delegation€of€Mauritius.Ð ˜è  ÐÌ238.€€The€Committee€expresses€its€concern€regarding€the€uncertain€situation€of€foreign€workers,€andÐ pÀ Ðat€the€inability€of€the€Government€to€ensure€their€rights€as€set€forth€in€the€Covenant,€in€particular€inÐ \¬ Ðarticles€6,€7€and€9.Ð H˜ ÐÌ239.€€With€regard€to€article€8€of€the€Covenant,€the€Committee€reiterates€its€concern€as€to€the€adverseÐ  p Ðeffects€of€the€Industrial€Relations€Act€of€1973,€which€is€still€in€force,€on€trade€union€rights€and€theÐ  \ Ðright€to€strike.€The€Committee€notes€with€concern€that€the€Trade€Union€and€Ô_ÔLabourÔ_Ô€Relations€BillÐ øH Ðproposed€in€1994,€far€from€following€the€recommendations€of€the€Special€Law€Review€Committee,Ð ä4 Ðappears€to€be€even€less€Ô_ÔfavourableÔ_Ô€to€the€exercise€of€these€rights€and€was€thus€rejected€by€the€entireÐ Ð  Ðtrade€union€movement€of€Mauritius.€The€same€observation€applies€to€the€proposed€National€Pay€andÐ ¼  ÐProductivity€Council€Bill.Ð ¨ø ÐÌ240.€€The€Committee€expresses€grave€concern€at€the€reported€rise€in€child€abuse,€child€prostitution,Ð €Ð Ðdomestic€violence€against€women,€teenage€pregnancy,€abortion,€suicide,€and€alcohol€and€drug€abuse.Ð l¼ ÐThe€Committee€regrets€the€apparent€absence€of€Government€information€and€statistics€on€theseÐ X ¨ Ðmatters,€in€spite€of€assurances€from€the€delegation€that€further€information€will€be€sent€in€writing€veryÐ D!” Ðsoon.Ð 0"€  ÐÌ241.€€The€Committee€expresses€its€regret€that€the€State€party€has€failed€to€disseminate€publicÐ $X" Ðinformation€concerning€human€rights€in€general,€and€the€International€Covenant€on€Economic,€SocialÐ ô$D # Ðand€Cultural€Rights€in€particular.€In€addition,€it€notes€with€concern€the€absence€of€human€rights€Ð à%0!$ Ðeducation€in€all€school€curricula.Ð Ì&"% ÐÌòòóóE.€€òòSuggestions€and€recommendationsóóÐ ¤(ô#' ÐÌ242.€€The€Committee€encourages€the€Government€to€pursue€its€current€efforts€to€eliminateÐ |*Ì%) Ðdiscriminatory€practices€against€women€and€to€ensure€in€the€practical€application€of€the€new€laws€theÐ h+¸&* Ðfull€enjoyment€of€their€economic,€social€and€cultural€rights.Ð T,¤'+ ÐÐ @-(, Ð243.€€The€Committee€recommends€a€review€of€the€situation€of€foreign€workers€to€ensure€the€sameÐ ° Ðprotection€enjoyed€by€Mauritian€nationals,€in€particular€with€regard€to€articles€6,€7€and€9€of€theÐ œì ÐCovenant.Ð ˆØ ÐÌ244.€€The€Committee€recommends€that€the€revised€industrial€relations€legislation€to€be€proposed€inÐ `° Ðthe€near€future€should€take€into€account€the€report€of€the€Special€Law€Review€Committee€andÐ L œ Ðeffectively€enable€the€exercise€of€trade€union€rights,€particularly€the€right€to€strike€in€conformity€withÐ 8 ˆ Ðthe€obligations€which€Mauritius€has€undertaken€in€this€regard.Ð $ t ÐÌ245.€€The€Committee€recommends€an€in-depth€study€and€analysis€of€the€situation€of€child€abuse,€childÐ ü L  Ðprostitution,€domestic€violence€against€women,€teenage€pregnancy,€abortion,€suicide,€and€alcohol€andÐ è 8  Ðdrug€abuse,€and€of€how€the€State€party€can€best€protect€and€ensure€the€economic,€social€and€culturalÐ Ô$  Ðrights€of€€the€population€of€Mauritius€affected€by€those€problems.€In€this€regard,€the€State€partyÐ À  Ðshould,€òòinter€aliaóó,€initiate€efforts€to€gather€statistics€and€other€information€relevant€to€the€situation.Ð ¬ü  ÐÌ246.€€The€Committee€recommends€that€the€Government€of€Mauritius€adopt€without€delay€an€intensiveÐ „Ô  Ðand€systematic€public€information€campaign€on€human€rights€in€general,€and€on€the€InternationalÐ pÀ ÐCovenant€on€Economic,€Social€and€Cultural€Rights€in€particular.Ð \¬ ÐÌ247.€€The€Committee€recommends€that€steps€be€taken€to€incorporate€human€rights€education€in€allÐ 4„ Ðschool€curricula,€in€accordance€with€the€goals€and€objectives€of€the€United€Nations€Decade€forÐ  p ÐHuman€Rights€EducationÐ  \ ÐÌÌò òó ó€Ð Ð  ЀÌòòóó€€