Workplace Violence: 675 Cases Reported Since January 2025

Title: Workplace Violence: 675 Cases Reported Since January 2025

Content: Four hundred and ten women have been affected by these instances of workplace violence. To support victims, the Ministry of Labour is accelerating its digital response.

Between January 2025 and March 2026, the Ministry of Labour processed 675 cases of workplace violence. In a written response submitted to Parliament, the Minister of Labour and Industrial Relations, Reza Uteem, provided a detailed overview of the recorded cases of workplace violence in Mauritius, in response to a question posed by MP Babita Thannoo (Rezistans ek Alternativ).

The 675 cases handled by the ministry involve 265 men and 410 women. Of these, 328 cases have been closed to date. Additionally, 19 cases are currently being processed by the Prosecution Unit, with 16 already submitted to the Industrial Court and three in the final stages of preparation. The ministry also noted that three cases (two of verbal abuse and one of sexual harassment) have been heard by the judiciary, although none resulted in convictions.

Reza Uteem clarified that the concept of labour exploitation is not explicitly defined in Mauritian legislation. However, it can encompass several severe forms of abuse, including forced labor, debt bondage, the worst forms of child labor, retention of identity documents, non-payment of wages, as well as physical, sexual, and psychological violence in the workplace.

Regarding workplace harassment, it is governed by Article 114 of the Workers’ Rights Act relating to violence at work. This includes bullying, which is defined as a range of offensive, humiliating, or intimidating behaviors. It may also involve an abuse of authority aimed at gradually undermining an individual’s or group’s confidence and capabilities.

From Field to Digital
Operationally, the ministry states that any victim can file a complaint at one of the 17 regional labour offices. Migrant workers can contact the Special Migrant Workers’ Unit. Complaints are then subject to internal investigations, which may lead to criminal proceedings after the Director of Public Prosecutions’ advice.

On a preventive level, 1,651 inspections have been conducted at workplaces, covering 18,718 male employees and 12,621 female employees. These checks aim to verify all employment conditions, including situations of violence or harassment. In parallel, 78 awareness sessions have been organized for 1,143 workers, and 37 trainings have been provided to the ministry's technical agents.

Finally, the ministry indicates that a digital platform, LabourConnect, is in the testing phase. Once operational, it will allow workers to report cases of workplace violence and harassment online, thus facilitating access to complaint mechanisms and follow-up.