1. Cabinet has agreed to the introduction into the National Assembly of the following Bills which enable us to meet our obligations under the Agreement on Trade RelatedAspects of Intellectual Property Rights
(TRIPS) -
(i) the Patents, Industrial Designs and Trademarks Bill;
(ii) the Geographical Indications Bill;
(iii) the Layout-Designs (Topographies) of Integrated Circuits Bill; and
(iv) the Protection Against Unfair Practices(Industrial Property Rights) Bill.
2. Cabinet has agreed to the introduction into the National Assembly of the Community Service Order Bill, which aims at introducing into our criminal justice system the sentencing option of community service whereby the courts may order, as an alternative to imprisonment, that convicted persons perform unpaid work in theopen and specified places, institutions or organisations.
3. Cabinet has agreed to a Fact Finding Committee being set up to situate responsibilities for the non-implementation of decisions of the Municipal Council of QuatreBornes relating to insurance cover of the Municipal assets.
4. Cabinet has agreed to Mauritius signing an agreement on cooperation in the field of tourism with the Government of the Hellenic Republic with a view to furthering and developing tourist relations between the two countries.
5. Cabinet has agreed to ILO Convention No 100 on Equal Remuneration for Work of Equal Value and Convention No 111 on Non-Discrimination in Employment and Occupationbeing ratified after consultations with social partners. The National Remuneration Board will,thereafter, be requested to make proposals for all jobs which are presently classified on a gender basis, to be reclassified on the basis of job content.
6. Cabinet has taken note that the New Passenger Terminal in Port Louis Harbour will benamed after late Mr Aurélie Perrine, MBE, in recognition to his contribution tothe advancement and progress of dock workers and the modernisation of the Port.
7. Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of mission of -
(a) the Prime Minister to Addis Ababa,Ethiopia, from 15 to 25 May 2002, where he attended the Seventh Summit of the COMESA Authority;
(b) the Minister of Health and Quality ofLife to Geneva from 11 to 18 May 2002, where he attended the 55th World Health Assembly Meeting; and
(c) the Minister of Fisheries to Namibia on 23 May 2002, where he attended the 10th SADC Marine Fisheries Ministers’Meeting.
8. Cabinet has taken note of the establishment of the Port Training Council by the Mauritius Ports Authority (MPA), which will be of advisory nature.
9. Cabinet has taken note that a Centre will be set up at Petit Verger, Pointe aux Sablesto cater for adults who, as a result of their disability, are bed ridden and need constant care and attention and who are completely neglected and cast aside by their families.
10. Cabinet has taken note of the appointment of Mr M. Kerof of Trinidad as General Managerof the Wastewater Management Authority (WMA).
11. Cabinethas taken note that following the recent problems encountered by migrantworkers, the Ministry of Labour & Industrial Relations, in consultations with the MEF and MEPZA, has prepared guidelines outlining the main labour issues and procedures relating to the employment of guest workers. The guidelines will be distributed to enterprises, foreign diplomatic missions, potential investors as well as foreign recruiting agents and migrant workers.
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