[Council of Ministers] Chagos, Sunday Allowance, LGSC and Road Safety on the Agenda

On Friday, January 30, 2026, the Council of Ministers convened under the leadership of Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam to ratify a series of decisions affecting governance, social issues, the economy, education, and international relations. Here’s a structured overview of the key topics discussed.

Chagos: A Closely Monitored Issue
The Cabinet noted the progress of discussions between Mauritius and the United Kingdom regarding the implementation of the agreement concerning the Chagos archipelago, including Diego Garcia. Debates surrounding the Diego Garcia Military Base and British Indian Ocean Territory Bill, which were set to resume in the House of Lords on January 26, have been postponed.

The government is also closely monitoring the recent positions expressed by the President of the United States and the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom on this issue. A high-level American delegation is planning a visit to Mauritius on February 24 and 25, 2026, to discuss a USA-Mauritius security partnership agreement and enhance cooperation in the western Indian Ocean.

Public Service: Controlled Restoration of the Sunday Allowance
On the social front, the Council approved the reinstatement of a revised Sunday allowance for civil servants working on shifts or rosters. This allowance will be equivalent to one day's salary in addition to their normal pay.
This measure affects 40,577 employees across 337 grades, with an estimated annual cost of around Rs 1 billion. The Cabinet emphasized that the regime applied since January 2024 – a normal salary plus two extra days – was not legally grounded. Provisions regarding work performed on public holidays remain unchanged.

Local Authorities: Termination of Contracts for 1,463 Workers
The Cabinet acknowledged the Local Government Service Commission's decision to terminate the employment of 1,463 local government workers following the Supreme Court's rejection of several judicial review requests contesting the decision made in May 2025.
A new recruitment process has been initiated, and transitional arrangements have been established to ensure service continuity. Affected workers will be able to apply for vacant positions.

Constitutional Reform: A Commission Soon Governed by Law
The Council validated the composition of the Constitutional Review Commission, chaired by former Chief Justice Bernard Yeung Sik Yuen. A draft law is being prepared to define the legal framework, powers, and mandate of this commission.
It is specified that electoral reforms will not fall under this commission's purview and will be treated separately.

Education: Kreol Morisien Introduced in HSC from 2026
The Cabinet approved the modalities for introducing Kreol Morisien as a main subject in the Higher School Certificate starting from the academic year 2026. Specific eligibility criteria have been defined, particularly relating to results in the School Certificate, National School Certificate, and English.

Road Safety: Implementation of the Points System
Ministers noted the proclamation of several provisions of the Road Traffic (Amendment) Act 2025, making the Penalty Points System operational from January 31, 2026.
This system will be launched alongside the Super App KOREK, through which drivers can check their certificate and point balance.

Taxation and Economy: Targeted Adjustments
The Council of Ministers approved the promulgation of the Income Tax (Amendment) Regulations 2026, extending a partial 80% exemption regime to certain companies holding licenses related to payment services, artificial intelligence, or virtual assets, subject to strict economic substance conditions in Mauritius.

Pensions and International Cooperation
A 3.7% increase in base pensions — retirement, disability, widowhood, and orphan benefits — has been effective since January 1, 2026, benefiting around 324,033 individuals. Payments for January have already been processed.
Additionally, the Cabinet endorsed the signing of several agreements and protocols, including with the European Union to strengthen the AML/CFT framework, with the United Kingdom under the Growth Gateway program for the Mauritius 2050 vision, and with regional and international partners in the fields of culture, health, climate, and higher education.