Neel Raamandarsingh PURMAH
Lecturer in Law
Middlesex University Mauritius
It is beyond doubt that the COVID-19 pandemic has amplified pre-existing inequalities, with their deleterious effects expected to be felt for several more years, if not decades. Barely had we the chance to catch our breath when this year started on an optimistic note – with the declining severity of the pandemic – that tension was strained to a breaking point with the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The war that broke out is another recipe for economic disaster. But the tipping point – at the national level at least – came with the recent protests spurred by the police arrest of a social activist who opposed the soaring prices of petroleum products. In the midst of all these calamitous events, one should not lose sight of the bigger picture: the basic rights and freedoms of individuals have been seriously eroded, disproportionately affecting marginalised and disadvantaged groups.
As socio-economic rights such as for instance the rights to health, education, employment and adequate housing are eroded in practice, it becomes nearly impossible to ensure that marginalised and disadvantaged groups do not suffer from discrimination. The reason behind this observation is two-fold. First, recent events have brought the world economy to a near standstill, with the high probability that it will be followed by a recession akin to the Great Depression the world had to witness several years after the end of World War I. An economic recession will thus undeniably result in even more decreasing purchasing power of consumers. Second, the austerity policies and measures adopted – or which will eventually have to be adopted – by governments not only in Mauritius but globally is indicative of a bleak future awaiting us all. 
The combined effects of a potential recession and austerity measures will be translated into discriminatory practices. It follows then that those at the bottom of the social ladder have been – and will unfortunately continue to be – ensnared in a spiral of discrimination and oppression that will be further segregating them in education, employment and in everyday life. But while it is not yet fully apparent to what extent these discriminatory practices will have cascading effects in the mentioned areas, it is of critical importance to start to mull over how to build a better future in a post-pandemic and post-war world. Particular attention should thus be paid to remedying the chronic and systemic deficiencies that have been exacerbating health, economic and social inequalities in our small island nation and beyond.
Insofar as inequalities have seeped through every crack of our society, it has now become more important than ever to work toward more inclusive and non-discriminatory practices. Because keeping to the status quo will lead yet again to people taking to the streets. The executive – which lest we forget is ultimately accountable to the electorate – seems to have turned a blind eye and a deaf ear to the overwhelming evidence that the poor are struggling to put food on the table. It should also be highlighted that the middle class has been gradually slipping into poverty. Is it wise then to keep investing in major infrastructure projects when the poor are being denied their basic right to an adequate standard of living? While investment into infrastructure projects has ushered Mauritius in an era of transformation, more attention should for now at least be paid to invest in people and to combat social exclusion. The mega urbanisation of Mauritius can wait. What is needed first and foremost is for public investment expenditure to be redirected toward locking in prices of basic commodities as well as petroleum products for the foreseeable future.
It should also be noted that it has been decades since the mention by successive governments to the need to develop the ocean economy and agricultural sectors. How is it that we import seafood products from Madagascar and China, when we are surrounded by a vast maritime zone that has been insufficiently exploited to cater for local needs? And why are we not able to locally and in a sustainable manner grow vegetables such as onions, potatoes and tomatoes that most Mauritians use on a daily basis? The problem lies perhaps in the lack of an enabling legal and fiscal environment that would allow the private sector to participate in investing into and developing these new economies with a close partnership with relevant stakeholders. Developing these economies will not only pave the way toward food self-sufficiency but will also act as a catalyst for wealth and job creation.
Finally, denying people of their rights to protest peacefully and to express their opinions without breaching the public order will eventually yield to situations of palpable friction with the police force. While violence can never be condoned in any form whatsoever, it should be highlighted that even though the police plays an important role in maintaining public order and safety, it should quickly step in to defuse the escalation of violence, as could be seen during the protests of last week.
Instead of being disconnected from the reality of the needs of the population, we should lend an empathetic ear to the difficulties faced by those at the lower end of the social ladder. The recent protests are merely the tipping point. As we teeter dangerously at the precipice, the burden rests not only on our decision-makers, but also on we as one people, to keep the nation from falling over the cliff.
*The views expressed in this article are those of the author only.