One Year Later... Mauritius Still Breathes with Half-Lungs

One year after the victory of the Alliance of Change, the promise of renewal has yet to transform into tangible benefits for daily life. While the commitment is present, the effects remain elusive.

Shaistah Imambaccus, a fresh graduate, represents a generation seeking meaningful work. At 23, she recently graduated and, after grappling with the demanding corporate world, chose to become a Research Assistant at the University of Mauritius. She embodies the Mauritian youth who refuse to settle for soulless jobs and aim for a more significant professional engagement.

Her observation is clear: "The structure of the job market remains largely unchanged." Traditional sectors like tourism and finance continue to dominate the economy, and very few efforts are made to encourage the emergence of new fields such as creative, artistic, or cultural industries. This gap is frustrating; young Mauritians leave university equipped with skills in these areas, but without a genuine strategy to promote creativity and convert these skills into economic opportunities, many talents remain untapped.

Shaistah believes the country would benefit from more investment in future-oriented sectors that can generate sustainable jobs. She acknowledges some progress, such as the introduction of a 40-hour workweek in non-essential sectors and menstrual leave, which she sees as positive steps for workplace equity. However, she notes that these reforms are still in the announcement phase and not yet fully realized.

Shaistah's experience highlights the tensions within the Mauritian labor market. In the corporate world, she found an intense pace with little work-life balance, leading to a sense of burnout. "We work hard, often more than we earn, and yet feel like we're constantly chasing something unattainable. This corporate logic—performance, objectives, profitability—turns us into robots, stifling creativity and personal growth."

Her journey led her to research as a means to find meaning, understand these imbalances, propose solutions, and contribute to the country with passion and a sincere desire for change. She emphasizes that the real challenge lies in transforming the existing system to truly integrate new talents. "The system educates more than it integrates. Each year, hundreds of graduates enter a job market that has not evolved. The same sectors dominate, and new skills find little resonance in job openings."

Beyond the mismatch between education and job opportunities, she points to a deeper malaise—the loss of meaning. In a fast-paced world, many young people no longer want to just 'work'; they seek to contribute, create, and innovate. Her call is clear: if the country wants to progress, it must rethink youth as not merely a workforce to absorb but as a transformative force capable of opening new markets and redefining productivity.

In conclusion, she poses a challenge: "The issue today is not a lack of young innovators but a system that is ready to listen to them." When asked how to better engage youth, Shaistah insists on the need to restore meaning to their participation. Too often, they are consulted without being truly heard. Young people do not just want to 'be included'; they want to be part of the decision-making process, the creation, the transformation.

She advocates for a change in narrative: "We need to stop viewing youth as a problem to manage and start seeing them as a resource to unleash. This involves creating spaces where they can undertake, innovate, and experiment without fear of failure or bureaucratic burdens."

To rebuild trust, there must be visible signs of equity, a fair job market, recognition of merit, and public policies addressing both graduates and young people seeking meaning. "Mauritian youth are not lacking in ideas or courage... they simply lack open doors."

To policymakers, her message is serious and clear: "I would tell decision-makers not to underestimate Mauritian youth. They voted for change because they felt their freedom and future were at stake. It was a strong signal that my generation is not complacent."

She stresses the political awareness of her generation: "We observe, understand, and act at the right moment. We are not silent; we are patient but conscious." Her final warning: "Do not view us as powerless or disengaged. When the time comes to mobilize again, we will do so."

Yaaseen Edoo, a disability activist, emphasizes that inclusion must go beyond rhetoric and become a daily reality. As a wheelchair user, he critically observes the gap between intentions and the lived experiences of people with disabilities in Mauritius. He recognizes some positive signs, such as the government’s willingness to reform the disability pension system by taking a more nuanced approach that considers individual capacities.

Yet, he notes a paradox: while policies exist and laws are passed, such as the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, they often remain unimplemented. For him, these policies must be accompanied by cultural change and better resource allocation. He acknowledges that change takes time but insists that real inclusion requires tangible improvements in accessibility, not just in physical infrastructure but also in social participation.

Yaaseen points to the employment sector as a particularly revealing area where intentions clash with reality. While there’s some progress in combating discrimination and fostering inclusion, most jobs remain concentrated in the private sector. He believes the government should lead by example by expanding the quota for hiring people with disabilities in the public sector.

Despite the challenges, Yaaseen remains hopeful. He sees growing societal awareness and recent government commitments to reform as encouraging signs, provided they result in concrete actions. He highlights the importance of involving people with disabilities in public policy design as a crucial factor for genuine inclusivity.

Overall, both Shaistah and Yaaseen present a compelling narrative on the aspirations and challenges facing the youth and marginalized groups in Mauritius, emphasizing the need for genuine engagement, structural change, and a commitment to inclusion that transcends mere words.