BoM: Allegations of Misconduct in Promotion and Recruitment Processes

The discomfort persists within the human resources department of the Bank of Mauritius (BoM). Employees, supported by the Bank of Mauritius Employees Union (BOMEU), are voicing serious concerns about what they describe as significant misconduct in recent promotion and internal recruitment exercises.

In an official letter addressed to management, they report alleged violations of the law, potential conflicts of interest, and selection criteria they believe are tailored to benefit certain individuals.

At the heart of the protest is the absence of consultation with the recognized union, which is required by the Employment Relations Act of 2008 and the procedural agreement binding the two parties. Employees view this unilateral approach as a labor conflict concerning promotions and job assignments, potentially opening the door for a referral to the Conciliation and Mediation Commission.

Another point of contention is the sudden alteration of eligibility criteria for certain positions, particularly the introduction of a postgraduate degree as a requirement for the Senior Analyst position. This demand is seen as unjustified and potentially discriminatory under the Equal Opportunities Act, as it would exclude experienced employees.

The petition also highlights procedural justice shortcomings, including the lack of an appeals mechanism and suspicions of undisclosed conflicts of interest.

Finally, the signatories are demanding the immediate suspension of the internal promotion exercise launched on December 4 and warn that without a swift response, the matter will be escalated to the relevant authorities.