High Unemployment in Mauritius Causes Poverty
On the island Republic of Mauritius, thousands of workers have been laid off and sent into poverty in the last few months as a result of the global economic crisis.
The economy of Mauritius, one of the most successful in Africa, depends on textile exports to the United States and Europe, as well as tourism, sugar and financial services.
The Central Statistic Office said that textile exports decreased by 10.5% from 2007 to 2008. In the first quarter of 2009 alone, 5,000 people in the textile and manufacturing work force, about 7%, were laid off, said finance minister Ramakrishna Sithanen.
The economy is projected to worsen and many more are expected to lose their jobs, due to the fact that Mauritius factories are expected to continue to export less, said Eric Mangar, manager of Movement for Food Security, a local organization working against poverty and hunger.
Sithanen warned that the longer the duration of this crisis, the more difficult it will be for Mauritius to rebuild. The lay-offs and poverty affect women the most, as they make up 60% of the textile and manufacturing workforce.
In March, it was mostly women who protested in front of the Government House in Port-Louis, primarily for unpaid wages from factories.
Tourism has suffered greatly. Mauritius does not have a national unemployment program.
The government’s National Empowerment Foundation is providing work training for textile workers in areas such as agriculture, fishing and technology. The Mauritian government also announced they will reduce the salaries of the president and ministers. To create employment opportunities, nongovernmental organizations have launched projects, such as poultry farming to help Mauritians maintain some income.
They have also taught the unemployed how to garden their own food.
Police Burn Down Homes in India
Indian State Police set the village of Jamauili, Chitrakoot, in flames after they ordered an evacuation in the midst of an attack by a gang of bandits, known in India as dacoits.
Police said that for the safety of residents, they decided to evacuate the village. The following day they set the entire village on fire, a strategy to entrap the dreaded dacoit leader Ghanshyam Kewat. The Jamauili villagers watched from a distance as all their possessions went into flames.
Most of the villagers had only a small amount of money in their pockets.
All Jamauili villagers are now homeless and are uncertain of how they will rebuild their homes. Ghanshyam was reportedly killed after he battled 400 policemen for more than 50 hours. Four policemen were also killed, according to published reports.
Homeless Teens Cause Concern in Ireland
Residents of Portane, in County Dublin, Ireland, have asked authorities to relocate homeless teenagers living in Grove House, a shelter for the ages of 12 to 17, due to recent incidents of violence and delinquency.
Grove House, opened last January on the grounds of the sprawling St. Ita’s Psychiatric Hospital, is a 10- bed facility for both teenage boys and girls, and was established in the place of a teenage homeless shelter in Dublin’s city center.
Members of the Portane community council have complained about the youths, saying that aggressive and threatening behavior has been aimed at the elderly residents at St. Ita’s and there has been an increase of vandalism.
The council’s chairwoman, Ita White, said not only is the Grove House not conducive for the community, but the location is ill-fitted for the teenagers.
“These vulnerable young people are being placed in an isolated area with limited services and activities, away from their families, friends and own communities, which is not in their best interests,” White said.
Fr. Peter McVerry, a young homeless activist, agreed with White when he said the teenagers want to be closer to the city where their communities are.
The Health Safety Executive said misconduct by the homeless teenagers will be met with sanctions, such as a loss of privileges, pocket money and participation of activities.
