Mauritius Police Risk Allowance Slammed as Just Rs 35 a Day
Police welfare advocate Khushal Lobine has called the current risk allowance for Mauritius officers 'derisory', amounting to roughly Rs 35 per day.
A senior police welfare figure in Mauritius has publicly condemned the risk allowance paid to officers of the Mauritius Police Force, describing it as insultingly low at the equivalent of approximately Rs 35 per day.
Khushal Lobine, a prominent voice in police welfare and labour advocacy circles in Mauritius, used the word "derisory" to characterise the allowance, arguing that it fails to reflect the genuine dangers and pressures that officers face in the course of their duties.
The risk allowance is a supplementary payment made to police officers in recognition of the hazardous nature of their work. It is separate from their base salary and is intended to compensate for exposure to physical danger, public disorder, criminal threats and other occupational risks. At Rs 35 per day, the amount translates to roughly Rs 1,050 per month, a figure that critics say bears no relationship to the realities of frontline policing in 2025.
Lobine's comments come at a time of heightened scrutiny of police working conditions in Mauritius. The country recently experienced significant civil unrest, and officers have been deployed in demanding circumstances, including curfew enforcement and crowd control operations. Against that backdrop, the level of financial recognition they receive for taking on additional risk has drawn renewed attention.
The Mauritius Police Force employs thousands of officers across the island and its outer islands. Like many public sector workers in Mauritius, police personnel have long raised concerns about pay structures that they argue have not kept pace with the cost of living or with the evolving demands placed on the force.
Allowances of this kind are typically set through negotiations between staff associations, the relevant ministry and the Pay Research Bureau, the body in Mauritius responsible for reviewing and recommending public sector remuneration. Any revision to the risk allowance would ordinarily require a formal review process involving these institutions.
What this means: For ordinary Mauritians, this debate matters beyond the police force itself. A well-compensated, fairly treated police service is widely seen as a foundation for effective law enforcement and public safety. If officers feel undervalued, it can affect morale, recruitment and ultimately the quality of policing across the country. Lobine's intervention puts pressure on authorities to revisit the allowance structure, potentially as part of a broader review of public sector pay.
No official government response to Lobine's remarks had been published at the time of reporting.
Source: Le Defi Media
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the risk allowance for Mauritius police officers?β
The risk allowance is a supplementary payment given to Mauritius Police Force officers to compensate for the hazardous nature of their work. According to welfare advocate Khushal Lobine, it currently amounts to approximately Rs 35 per day, or around Rs 1,050 per month, a figure he has described as derisory.
Who decides police pay and allowances in Mauritius?β
Public sector pay and allowances in Mauritius, including those for the Police Force, are reviewed and recommended by the Pay Research Bureau (PRB). The PRB conducts periodic reviews and its recommendations are typically implemented by the government after consultation with staff associations and the relevant ministries.
Who is Khushal Lobine in Mauritius?β
Khushal Lobine is a known police welfare and labour advocate in Mauritius who regularly speaks out on issues affecting the working conditions, pay and rights of police officers in the country.
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