Mauritius: Championing workers' rights at the Beijing Construction Engineering Group

The Construction and Metal Workers' Union (CMWEU) in Mauritius began the year with a strong focus on remedying workers’ rights violations in Chinese multinational company (MNC), Beijing Construction Engineering Group Co. Ltd (BCEG). The work began on 14 January 2025 when the union invited 500 BCEG workers, most of whom hailed from Nepal, to voice their concerns regarding the working conditions at the company. Concerns ranged from the non-payment of wages, year-end bonuses, prescribed special allowances, and leave days to the incorrect categorization of workers and the lack of work permits for those found working on-site. Together with the aggrieved workers and the BCEG management, the CMWEU raised the workers’ concerns at the office of the Minister of Labour. The employer also had the opportunity to state its position and intention to “take the necessary actions against the Union and the group of workers who abandoned their posts to participate” in the illegal strike.

Following the CMWEU’s pressure on the Ministry to intervene, the BCEG and CMWEU negotiated an interim agreement in which the BCEG agreed to “re-adjust the basic salary of all workers in accordance with the laws of Mauritius and pay same”, “reimburse the deductions” as applicable for the relevant workers”, and “pay all relevant workers the Special Allowance in 3 equal monthly instalments…as prescribed by the Special Allowance Act 2024”. It was further agreed that both parties would attend at the Ministry’s office after 15 days to discuss arrear payments and settle the same, in good faith. During the 15 days, the Ministry agreed to investigate the items to be discussed when discussions resume. At present, the CMWEU continues to monitor the situation while waiting for the Ministry’s completion of its investigations. 

CMWEU continued helping migrant workers. In February 2025,the union assisted 600 Nepalese workers from KUROS LTD to recover salaries and wages that had not been paid for two consecutive months. Again, given the difficulties faced by the CMWEU, the Ministry of Labour was approached to facilitate negotiations between the employer and workers’ representative. The intervention proved successful as an agreement was concluded between the abovementioned parties in terms of which outstanding salaries and wages, special allowances, the remaining balance of year-end bonuses would be paid to the affected workers. The employer also agreed to provide “free accommodation and food to all workers”, “pay the return flight ticket to all workers whose work permits have expired and want to return” to their countries of origin after the payment of the outstanding funds to the relevant persons is made, “pay all dues to employees whose work permits have expired” and pay “any other outstanding dues as prescribed by law”. Similarly, the union is monitoring adherence to the agreed terms. 

“While employers may use various strategies to justify wage theft and exploitation of migrant workers, it remains our duty to hold them accountable and where necessary, work with the Ministry of Labour and other relevant stakeholders to do that. Migrant workers deserve the same respect as all other workers”, says Reeaz Chutto, Executive Technical Member of the CMWEU. 

CMWEU's work is crucial for ensuring that the construction sector in Mauritius upholds fair labour standards and respects all workers' rights. By combining advocacy, negotiation, and collaboration, CMWEU aims to create a more equitable and sustainable working environment for all.