24. MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

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1 24. MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT 24.1 The envisions to provide a sustainable island for the present and future generations that is conducive to economic development and social cohesion In line with government policy pertaining to the Maurice Ile Durable concept, the Ministry ensures that a proper framework for sustainable development as well as for the protection and management of the natural environment is in place, co-ordinates sustainable development and environmental issues through a collaborative process, implements governmental policies and enforces provisions necessary for sustainable development and the protection of the environment of Mauritius Its main objectives are, inter alia, to protect and manage the environmental assets of Mauritius so that their capacity to sustain the society and its development remains unimpaired; promote sustainable development; and foster harmony between quality of life, environmental protection and sustainable development for the present and future generations The Department of Environment is headed by the Director of Environment who is supported by the Deputy Director of Environment and assisted by officers in the professional and technical cadres. A team of employees in the Workmen s Group are involved in all manual works The following Sections operate under the Department of Environment. Environmental Policy and Management (EPM) 24.6 The major service of the EPM comprises the development and update of legislation, regulations and guidelines for air, water, effluent and hazardous waste, and management of compliance with international environmental conventions and protocols It ensures that policies related to environmental protection and sustainable development are implemented in an effective and timely manner. Environmental Protection and Conservation (EPC) 24.8 For the EPC, its goal is the sustainable management of the country s natural resources and its major services are to integrate management of the coastal zone and environmentally sensitive areas; provide education on sustainable development and promote environmental awareness strategies and sensitization campaigns; develop a climate change adaptation framework; ensure compliance of ambient air quality with prescribed standards; and administer and monitor Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) and Preliminary Environment Reports (PERs). ~361~ Pay Review 2013

2 Uplifting and Embellishment of the Physical Environment 24.9 The Ministry aims at improving the physical environment and enhancing quality of life; rehabilitating and embellishing degraded sites; and setting up of endemic gardens and other green spaces. Sustainable Development Concerning sustainable development in the country, the Ministry is responsible for mainstreaming same in key sectors of the economy; put in place policies, strategies and an action plan on sustainable development for Mauritius; and disseminate sustainable consumption and production practices. DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT The Department of Environment, which was established under section 8 of the Environment Protection Act 2002, operates under the aegis of the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development. It is responsible for the administration of the environmental protection legislation and deals with all matters pertaining to physical and living environment Supported by two Deputy Directors of Environment, the Director is responsible for the day-to-day administration and management of the Department. It comprises ten Divisions, namely Pollution, Prevention and Control; Information and Education; Environmental Assessment; Prosecution; Environmental Law; Policy and Planning; Coordination and Project Implementation; Climatic Change; Integrated Coastal Zone Management; and the National Environmental Laboratory Apart from the National Environmental Laboratory (NEL) which is headed by a Divisional Scientific Officer, all the other divisions are under the control of a Divisional Environment Officer supported by officers in professional and technical grades. A flying squad comprising Police Officers on secondment provides services at the Pollution, Prevention and Control Division The Living Environment Unit is managed by a Project Manager supported by a Deputy Project Manager. The Inspectorate Cadre comprises a three-level hierarchy. About 600 employees belonging to the Workmen s Group are also involved in the implementation of the projects As regards the present organisation structure, it is being maintained. However, we are abolishing the grade of Environment Enforcement Officer and reviewing the schemes of service for the grades of Director of Environment and Environment Officer. Scheme of Service of Director of Environment Presently, appointment to the grade of Director of Environment is made by selection from among officers in the grades of Deputy Director of Environment Pay Review 2013 ~362~

3 and Manager, NEL reckoning at least two years service in a substantive capacity in their respective grades Both management and the staff side have submitted that, in view of the responsibilities devolving upon the Director of Environment, it is considered that the incumbent should have a wide experience of environmental issues. Furthermore, the post of Manager, NEL has not been filled and since the NEL is fully manned and is operating effectively, it has been proposed that the grade of Manager, NEL be abolished and that the scheme of service for the grade of Director of Environment be amended accordingly. Recommendation We recommend that the scheme of service for the grade of Director of Environment be amended such that, in future, appointment thereto be made by selection from among officers in the grade of Deputy Director of Environment reckoning at least two years service in a substantive capacity in the grade We further recommend that the grade of Manager, NEL be abolished. Scheme of Service of Environment Officer At present, appointment to the grade of Environment Officer is made by selection from among officers in the grade of Environment Enforcement Officer possessing a Degree in one of the following subjects:- Agriculture, Botany, Biochemistry, Biology, Chemistry, Engineering (Chemical or Civil or Environmental), Environment and Coastal Management, Environmental Economics or Climate Change Economics, Environmental Law or Environmental Science, Ecology, Geology, Marine Science, Environmental or Urban Planning, and Sustainable Development Management considers that, with the emerging environmental challenges relating to sustainable development, the Department of Environment need competencies in more diverse fields, such as Environmental Economics, Environmental Planning, Environmental Law, Ecology, etc. To this end, Management has proposed that, in order to widen the scope of promotion for the post of Environment Officer so that more diverse fields of expertise could be taken on board, the scheme of service for the grade of Environment Officer should be reviewed. The Bureau is of the view that there is merit in the case and we are, therefore, recommending accordingly. Recommendation We recommend that the scheme of service for the grade of Environment Officer be amended such that, in future, appointment thereto be also made by selection from among Environment Enforcement Officers possessing a degree in Environmental Science or Environmental Economics or Environmental Law or Ecology or Environmental ~363~ Pay Review 2013

4 Planning. In the absence of suitably qualified serving officers, selection should be made from among candidates possessing the prescribed qualifications We further recommend that the grade of Environment Enforcement Officer be made evanescent. On-Call Allowance A monthly commuted allowance and an in-attendance allowance are presently paid to the professional and technical staff for being on-call during the whole month after office hours as well as for attending work while on-call. We are revising the quantum of these allowances. Recommendation We recommend that the monthly commuted allowance, payable to the professional and technical staff for being on-call during the whole month after office hours, be revised as follows: Grades Environment Enforcement Officer (Personal) Environment Officer Scientific Officer (Environment) Divisional Environment Officer Divisional Scientific Officer (Environment) Amount (Rs) We further recommend that when attending work while on-call, these officers be paid allowances per hour, inclusive of travelling time as follows: Grades Environment Enforcement Officer (Personal) Environment Officer Scientific Officer (Environment) Divisional Environment Officer Divisional Scientific Officer (Environment) Amount (Rs) Pay Review 2013 ~364~

5 On-Call Monthly Commuted Allowance At present, a monthly commuted allowance of Rs 265 is payable to the Drivers at the whenever they are required to be on-call to attend to environmental hazards/emergencies. We are maintaining the payment of this allowance and revising the quantum. Recommendation We recommend that the monthly on-call commuted allowance payable to the Drivers who are required to be on-call to attend to environmental hazards/emergencies be revised to Rs 290. Project Unit The Project Unit is responsible for the formulation, implementation and monitoring of environmental capital projects undertaken by the Department of Environment and the Living Environment Unit A Project Manager heads the Unit and is assisted by a Deputy Project Manager. Officers of the Inspectorate cadre and the manual staff who are posted on different sites regionwise provide support to the Unit The professional, technical and operational hierarchical structures being fitfor-purpose are being maintained. MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT SALARY SCHEDULE Salary Code Salary Scale and Grade Rs Permanent Secretary Rs x x Project Manager Rs x x Deputy Project Manager Rs x x x x Project Officer ~365~ Pay Review 2013

6 Salary Code Salary Scale and Grade Rs x x x x Chief Inspector Rs x x x Senior Inspector Rs x x x Inspector Rs x x x x x Senior Leading Hand Rs x x x x Leading Hand Rs x x x x x Driver, Mechanical Unit Rs x x x x Tradesman formerly Cabinet Maker Carpenter Mason Painter Welder General Assistant Rs 8500 x x Tradesman Assistant Rs 8750 x x x Handy Worker (Special Class) Rs 8275 x x x Handy Worker Pay Review 2013 ~366~

7 Salary Code Salary Scale and Grade Rs 8500 x x Stores Attendant Rs x x x x Driver Rs 9250 x x x Gardener/Nurseryman Rs 9000 x x x Watchman Rs 7400 x x x x General Worker (Personal to employees in post as at ) Rs 7400 x x x General Worker Rs Director of Environment DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT Rs x x Deputy Director of Environment Rs x x Project Co-ordinator Rs x x Divisional Environment Officer Divisional Scientific Officer ~367~ Pay Review 2013

8 Salary Code Salary Scale and Grade Rs x x x x Environment Officer Scientific Officer Rs x x x x x Environment Enforcement Officer (Personal) Rs x x x x x x Laboratory Attendant Rs x x x x Maintenance Assistant Rs x x x x Driver Rs 9250 x x x Resource Centre Attendant ********** Pay Review 2013 ~368~