CNT Go-Slow Crisis: Minister Mahomed Warns Staff Will Face Consequences

Mauritius's minister responsible for public transport, Mahomed, has issued a firm warning to workers at the CNT — the Central Navigation Company (Compagnie de Navigation Transports), the state-owned bus operator — after a go-slow industrial action caused widespread disruption to bus services. The minister made clear that those responsible for organising or participating in the work-to-rule action would be held accountable and must face the consequences of their decisions. **What is a go-slow?** A go-slow, sometimes called a work-to-rule, is a form of industrial protest where employees deliberately perform their duties at the slowest pace legally permissible, without staging a full strike. It is designed to disrupt operations and put pressure on management or government without exposing workers to the legal risks of an outright walkout. **What is the CNT?** The CNT (Compagnie Nationale de Transport) is Mauritius's state-run bus company, responsible for operating public bus routes across the island. It is a key part of the country's public transport network, relied upon by thousands of commuters daily — particularly lower-income workers and students who depend on affordable bus travel. **What happened?** The go-slow action led to significant delays and a reduction in services, leaving passengers stranded or waiting for extended periods at bus stops. The disruption was serious enough to prompt a direct public warning from the minister, signalling that the government views the action as unacceptable. This latest incident follows a pattern of labour unrest at the CNT. Just recently, dozens of CNT buses were left stranded at the Bonne-Terre depot after workers staged a mass sick leave — another form of collective action short of a formal strike. **What this means** For ordinary Mauritians who depend on CNT buses to get to work or school, repeated disruptions represent a real hardship. The government's tough stance suggests it is unwilling to allow further industrial actions to go unchallenged, and disciplinary proceedings against workers involved could follow. For CNT staff and unions, the minister's warning raises the stakes considerably. Any workers found to have organised or led the go-slow could face formal consequences under Mauritian labour law, which distinguishes between protected industrial action and deliberate work disruption. The standoff reflects broader tensions within the public transport sector in Mauritius, where workers have raised concerns about pay, conditions, and management — issues that have yet to be fully resolved through negotiation. Source: Le Defi Media