Mauritius's Minister of Labour and Industrial Relations arrived in Madagascar yesterday at the head of a Mauritian delegation. Muhammad Reza Cassam Uteem landed at Ivato International Airport around 3:15 p.m. His visit coincides with the "Moris-Mada Business Connect Summit 2026," organized on August 13-14 at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Antananarivo (CCI Ivato). The summit brings together economic operators from both countries, with around fifty Mauritian entrepreneurs in attendance.

The visit addresses concerns surrounding the recruitment and protection of Malagasy workers in Mauritius. Minister Cassam Uteem aims to strengthen ties with Madagascar on this issue, ensuring workers are adequately trained and informed of their rights before arriving in Mauritius. He emphasized that several Malagasy workers have faced difficulties with recruitment agents, stressing the necessity of using licensed agencies in Mauritius. According to him, Malagasy workers enjoy the same rights as Mauritian workers, including salary and overtime protections, while employers must respect housing and reception obligations.

Mauritius and Madagascar are currently engaged in discussions toward a bilateral agreement on recruiting Malagasy workers. Exchanges with Madagascar's Labour Minister are planned to facilitate procedures and better regulate recruitment. Madagascar seeks to strengthen protection for its citizens working in Mauritius, aiming to establish a framework preventing recruitment abuses and guaranteeing worker rights.

According to Rojo Andrianasolo, president of the Mauritius-Madagascar Chamber of Commerce, economic, diplomatic, and commercial relations between the two countries hold particular importance. The presence of the Mauritian government and Labour Minister at this meeting provides an opportunity to further strengthen cooperation. Andrianasolo emphasized addressing Malagasy workers' concerns in Mauritius. The Chamber of Commerce aims to improve professional relations between both nations while developing economic exchanges, particularly in vegetables, agricultural products, and fruits. Madagascar possesses potential to better supply the Indian Ocean region. Discussions during this meeting should clarify cooperation prospects in employment and economic exchange sectors.