The 30th meeting of the Committee of Senior Officials organised by the African Regional Labour Administration Centre (ARLAC) is currently being hosted in Mauritius from 12 to 16 October 2026. The opening ceremony was held this morning in presence of the Minister of Social Integration, Social Security and National Solidarity, and Acting Minister of Labour and Industrial Relations, Mr Ashok Kumar Subron, in Port Louis.

The meeting will be followed by a two-day High-Level Symposium on encouraging the adoption of the International Labour Organization “C193 – Decent Work in the Platform Economy Convention, 2026 (No. 193)”. This Convention, which was adopted at the 114th International Labour Conference, established the first international labour standards governing digital labour platforms, covering issues such as employment status, social protection, occupational safety and health, collective rights and algorithmic management.

In his keynote address, the Acting Labour Minister described Mauritius as a vibrant, modern society anchored by social dialogue, fundamental workers' rights, and strong democratic institutions. Tracing the evolution of the Mauritian labour landscape back to the eras of slavery and indentured labour, Mr Subron noted that regional bodies like the ARLAC are deeply rooted in a shared mission: ensuring society never regresses to treating labour as a mere commodity.

"All member States share a common DNA," Mr Subron stated, pointing out that most African nations bear the structural scars of colonial labour regimes, that is, systems originally designed to extract output rather than elevate human dignity. He expressed immense pride that the African community refused to remain trapped in these historical paradigms, with member nations continually reinventing their labour administration, transforming colonial mechanisms of control into robust, tripartite institutions dedicated to social justice, equity, and the protection of workers. "Our modern labour administrations today act as the frontline architects of social justice," Mr Subron remarked.

Looking forward, the Minister reminded that the definitions of "work" and the "workplace" are constantly shifting, urging ARLAC to remain forward-looking and adaptable in order to prepare for emerging global challenges. These include the rise of the digital workforce, algorithmic management, the compounding consequences of the climate and ecological crises, and ongoing geopolitical conflicts.

Mr Subron highlighted ARLAC’s vital role in driving peer learning, research, technical cooperation, the sharing of best practices, and regional dialogue. He emphasised that current training and capacity-building programmes must equip labour administrations not only to manage the complexities of today but to proactively anticipate the challenges of tomorrow.

Welcoming the meeting and symposium, ARLAC Executive Director, Mr Retselisitsoe Khetsi, indicated the gathering as a timely occasion to evaluate progress on the organisation's strategic plan. He described it as an opportunity to celebrate past achievements and resilience while proactively addressing new challenges and making necessary adjustments. Moreover, he stressed the need to work to make tangible differences on institutional capacity and the empowerment of member countries.

The incoming Chairperson, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Labour and Industrial Relations, Mrs Bilkiss Rajahbalee-Cader, underlined that ARLAC relies on the collective vision of its member States along with their innovative ideas, and practical suggestions, to fulfil its core mandate of enhancing labour administration systems. As the organisation navigates an evolving global and regional environment, she urged ARLAC to innovate and adapt, ultimately building a more resilient framework capable of effectively serving the needs of its members.

12 October 2026

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Topics: Bilateral cooperation