Bruno's Mauritian Blog

This is an automated email sent to every LibDem member. The financial mess left by Labour needs to be sorted out through difficult decisions for the coalition government. It will be really tough. Expect drastic cuts ahead!

This morning, the Office for Budget Responsibility – an office established by this Government – published its first assessment of the public finances. Regrettably the problems facing our country are even more serious than we had originally realised.

The recent conflict between the sugar industry trade unions and the animals of the MSPA show how archaic the sugar barons are. The latter forget that we are in the 21^st century and the time of slavery is over. An independent observer suggested an appropriate quantum of 20% for the salary increase of the labourers. The trade unions, who were initially asking for a 35% increase, agreed with the 20% quantum. Both the government and opposition advised the sugar barons to accept the 20% increase.

One euro was sold at MUR 40.38 on Monday, and today’s exchange rate is MUR 43.23. This represents an increase of about 7% since Monday, even though it has been a tough week for Europe.

Les manifestes des deux blocs disputant les élections du 5 mai 2010 ont été publiés. Nous pouvons maintenant les décortiquer et connaitre qui de l’Alliance du Coeur ou de l’Alliance de l’Avenir propose le meilleur programme pour les 5 années à venir. Auparavant, nous devons faire ressortir que les manifestes ne comptent que pour une infime partie des swing votes, puisque les élections se jouent sur l’émotion à Maurice, pas sur la raison. Mais que cela ne nous empêche pas d’essayer de faire un choix éclairé pour cette joute.

In 2006, most Mauritians seemed to be against the then Mr Sithanen. However, at that time, I thought he was, by far, the best minister in the Labour cabinet. His financial policy seemed audacious and radically different from his predecessors (including himself – when he was Chancellor under SAJ). I somehow felt that his courageous [...]