Adilla Diouman-Mosafeer: "Mauritius Must Position Itself as the 'African Singapore'"

Adilla Diouman-Mosafeer argues that Mauritius is at a critical juncture, facing immense challenges that require the development of new skills to address key issues for its future. She points out that our reliance on importing foreign labor has masked our inability to train and value our own resources.

She questions whether the challenge of aligning human resources with the job market has been addressed post-COVID-19, concluding that while some initiatives have emerged, such as digital transformation and training programs, these efforts are fragmented and insufficient to structurally transform the market.

Despite graduating many university students, their qualifications often do not meet the practical demands of businesses. The predominant solution has been the importation of foreign labor, which serves as a short-term fix rather than a sustainable solution.

Diouman-Mosafeer highlights that the current job market offers competitive salaries primarily in sectors experiencing acute shortages, such as technology and healthcare. However, roles with repetitive tasks lack appeal, leading many to seek opportunities abroad.

Moreover, she notes that the public sector remains attractive to many young Mauritians, providing a sense of security despite potentially lower salaries compared to private sector jobs. The perception of public employment as stable and prestigious is deeply rooted in Mauritian culture.

The issue of salary expectations for graduates is significant, with many rejecting offers they deem inadequate. This refusal reflects an inflation of educational expectations rather than a direct correlation with market needs. Employers often seek practical experience and soft skills, which many graduates lack.

The adaptation to remote work during the pandemic has been reactive rather than strategic, with some sectors successfully transitioning while others reverted to traditional office setups. This has led to conflicts and resignations as flexibility becomes a crucial employment advantage.

Education systems are criticized for not adequately preparing students for the realities of the workplace, particularly in developing soft skills and emotional intelligence.

Addressing the brain drain to Canada and other countries is essential, as young Mauritians seek better opportunities for personal and professional fulfillment. Diouman-Mosafeer emphasizes the need for Mauritius to position itself as an exporter of skilled bilingual talent, especially in high-demand sectors like FinTech and cybersecurity, to ensure sustainable economic prosperity.