The Fishermen Welfare Fund was incorporated by the Government under the Fishermen Welfare Fund Act No 28 of 2000. It is a parastatal body under the aegis of the Ministry of Agro-Industry, Food Production and Security {Fisheries Division}. It is situated at the FiTEC Building, Pointe aux Sables.
Our Vision
We exist to promote the betterment of registered fishermen and their families.
Our Mission
To provide a high quality and cost-effective service to the Fishers’ Community.
Our Core Values We practice and promote the following values: -
Effectiveness and Efficiency,
Quality,
Diligence and honesty at work,
Good Customer Relations and
Good Governance
Objectives As per the Fishermen Welfare Fund Act, the objectives are: -
a)
to advance and promote the welfare of registered fishermen and their families;
b)
to manage and optimise the financial and other resources of the Fund to further the social and economic welfare of fishermen;
c)
to develop schemes and projects for the welfare of registered fishermen;
d)
to set up schemes, including schemes in respect of loan and other financial assistance, for the benefit of registered fishermen; who should make contribution under section 11 (2) of Fishermen Welfare Fund Act;
e)
to do all such things as appear to be necessary and conductive to the promotion of the welfare of registered fishermen in general.
Activities
a)
The Fishermen Welfare Fund act as a Coordinator between the fishermen Community and the various Organisations which contribute towards the welfare of the fishermen Community
b)
It manages several schemes for the welfare of the registered fishermen introduced by the Government.
Schemes
Apart from its facilitator role, the Fund manages at present five schemes which are: -
a) Scholarship
A total of 107 scholarships are awarded as follows:
Scholarship per category
Categories
Stipends
Duration
Mauritius
Bank
Rodrigues
Total
Per month (Rs)
Per year (Rs)
Post C.P.E (Form I to V)
36
6
14
56
375
4,500
5 years
Post S.C (Lower & Upper Six)
15
4
6
25
750
9,000
2 Years
Post H.S.C (Degree, Professional Qualification)
7
2
5
14
1,500
18,000
Up to three years
Vocational
4
2
6
12
375
4,500
Duration of courses
b) Sick Allowance
Under this scheme a registered fishermen is eligible to a financial assistance of 14 days of bad weather allowance when he is hospitalised for 14 consecutive days or more. The assistance is Rs 168/- daily.
c) Interim Assistance to fishermen family in distress
This allowance is given to the family of a registered fisherman who is in deep distress where the fisherman who is the bread earner perishes at sea. An amount of Rs 2,500/= is given to the family on an interval of 15 days for the purchase of basic family needs. A maximum of Rs10,000 is granted for the first two months of the absence of the registered fisherman.
d) Financial Assistance for the repairs of accidentally damaged fishing boat and Out Board Motors.
The assistance is granted where the fishing pirogue and out board motor of a registered fisherman is damaged accidentally. The maximum assistance given is limited to Rs 5,000/= once per year. The aim of this assistance is to enable the registered fisherman to re-start his activities.< /FONT>
e) Compensation for accidental death at sea
This scheme is non-contributory and provides a compensation of Rs 200,000/= in case of death following an accident at sea. Individual case is reported, processed and submitted to the Ministry by the Fund for consideration.< /FONT>
f) Contributory Scheme for Bank Fishermen
The Fund manages a Scheme for bank fishermen known as Winter Allowance. As per the Scheme any bank fisherman who has a Continuous Record Book and has been on at least two fishing campaigns on the following banks “Nazareth”, “Saya de Malha” and “Chagos Archipelagos”, during the period 1st September in a year to 31st May of the following year may participate in the Scheme by making a contribution of 2,000 rupees. The Fund and fishing operators, each contribute 2,000 rupees per bank fisherman who will participate in the Scheme. The contributions received are lumped and the 6,000 rupees is provided as financial assistance to bank fishermen during the months of June, July and August in three equal instalments.
COMPOSITION OF BOARD 2008 & 2009
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Composition of Board as per Section 5 of the Act
1
Chairman
Mr Jean Désiré Philippe ETIENNE
2
A representative of the Prime Minister’s Office
Mrs C. NOEL, Office Superintendent
3
A representative of the Ministry responsible for the subject of Finance and Economic Development
Miss K. BAGUANT, Economic Analyst
Mrs N. CODADEEN, Economist (Alternate)
4
A representative of the Ministry responsible for the subject of Fisheries
Mr L. Ujoodha, Ag. Principal Assistant Secretary
5
A representative of the Ministry responsible for the subject of Rodrigues & Outer Islands
Mrs N. ROJOA, Higher Executive Officer
6
2 fishermen, each of whom shall be nominated by one of the 2 most representative organizations of fishermen
(i) Mr J. G. Y. VIRIEUX, Association des Pêcheurs de Poudre D’Or, Roches Noires and Bain des Rosnay
(ii)Mr I. GOPEE, Mauritius Fishermen Cooperative Federation (MFCF)
7
One fisherman from the banks fishermen community
Mr J. G. EDOUARD, Maritime Transport and Port Employees Union
8
One fisherman from Rodrigues nominated by the fishermen’s associations of Rodrigues
Mr J. J. CASIMIR, President of OPPR Fishermen Association
9
One representative of the organizations of operators from the fishing industry, nominated by the organisation the members of which produce the highest tonnage of fish
