1. Cabinet has agreed to the adoption of the National Policy on the Elderly which takes care of the special needs of senior citizens and deals with opportunities and challenges facing them. The core issues that have been addressed therein include:
(i) preparation for retirement;
(ii) health and nutrition;
(iii) protection of the elderly;
(iv) setting up of old people’s homes;
(v) income security; and
(vi) social welfare and leisure.
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2. In the context of the World Summit for Children and the Global Movement for Children, Cabinet has agreed to the organisation of a series of activities with a view to sensitizing members of the public on children’s needs and rights and to securing their commitment for the cause of children. The activities will be launched on 16 May 2001 and will culminate in a "teleton" in August 2001.
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3. Cabinet has decided to name the Front de Mer in Port Louis after Professor Basdeo Bissondoyal.
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4. Cabinet has agreed to the Minister of Health and Quality of Life recruiting doctors from India on contract to alleviate the shortage of medical staff in Government hospitals.
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5. Cabinet has agreed to Mauritius signing an Economic, Scientific and Technical Agreement with the Republic of Cuba, which inter alia provides for -
(a) the establishment of joint ventures,
(b) the exchange of professionals, and
(c) the grant of scholarships for specialised studies and professional development.
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6. Cabinet has agreed to the introduction into the National Assembly of The Companies Bill which aims at amending and consolidating the law relating to companies and to provide for a framework which facilitates enterprise and promotes transparency and fair dealing while enhancing competitiveness.
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7. Cabinet has agreed to Mauritius hosting a Tripartite Seminar on International Labour Standards and Migrant Workers organised by the ILO from 2 to 5 July 2001. The aim of the Seminar is to sensitize participants on labour standards with respect to migrant workers and the need to harmonise legislation. Participants will inter alia include representatives of Government, employers and employees from Comoros, Madagascar, Reunion, Seychelles and Mauritius as well as trade unions.
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8. Cabinet has agreed that Mauritius will host the 8th Conference of Ministers of Education of African Member States (MINEDAF VIII) from 2 to 6 December 2002 at the invitation of UNESCO. MINEDAF aims at fostering regional partnerships, collaboration and exchanges in Africa. Some 350 participants are expected to attend the Conference.
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9. Cabinet has taken note of the holding of a National Consultative Conference by the Ministry of Women’s Rights, Child Development & Family Welfare on 10 and 11 May 2001 to examine a Case Study on Early Childhood Development Policy and a Summative Evaluation on Early Childhood Care and Development Programme.
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10. Cabinet has been apprised of the findings of the Fact Finding Committee on Northern College chaired by Mr Ashok Radhakisson.
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11. Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of the participation of –
(i) the Minister of Agriculture, Food Technology & Natural Resources at the 7th Special ACP Ministerial Conference on Sugar held in Guyana from 23 to 27 April 2001, on the theme "Managing Change in the New Millennium";
(ii) the Minister of Public Utilities at the African Energy Ministers Meeting held in Algiers on 23 and 24 April 2001, which aimed at finalising the draft Convention for the establishment of the African Energy Commission (AFREC); and
(iii) the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Co-operation at –
(a) the Second Meeting of the COMESA Ministers of Foreign Affairs on Peace and Security held in Lusaka Zambia on 12 April 2001; and
(b) the 12th Session of the Standing Commission of the Afro Arab Commission held in Algiers from 18 to 19 April 2001.
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