We have made much headway in terms of working rights since the advent of trade-unions and the creation of the Labour Party in the 1930s. The rights have not been gifted to the workers by a father-Christmas or a “Zorro” but following the struggles of the workingclass with good dedicated leaders. Every Labour Day we pay only lip service to all those who have devoted their lives to the advancement of workers in this country.

One area where we are failing lamentably is the treatment of foreign workers. We are reneging our history when we are treating the Bangladeshis and others with contempt to their dignity. We are all guilty because we are deliberately remaining silent. We are obdurate to the truth. The biggest culprits are those who are at the helm.

Another area which is shaming me to the core is the treatment which is meted out to our prison officers. For the purpose of the present paper, I will only refer to the circular No 16 of 2019 from the Commissioner of Prisons dated 10th June 2019. The circulars states that the prison department “would do away with providing food to night duty officers except for one cup of tea or coffee”.

The prison officers who are on night duty start at 19.00 hrs to end up at 7.00 am and if ever there is a problem (e.g. death of a prisoner, illness, food poisoning, escape or attempt to escape, drugs seizures…) they have to stay over till they are released by superior officers.

Twelve hours non-stop with only “pep up” a small cup of tea or coffee. Yes, I have not made a mistake, only one small cup.

The prison officers are allowed to bring their own food, but which must be consumed before they start work at 19.00 hours. And also, conditions have also been imposed: Prison officers must bring their own food in their own transparent containers.

The containers will be strictly searched.

Food to be consumed before 19.00 hours in the gate lodge under camera.

Oh God! What is that stupidity? Replace the words as you feel like in the following repartee of Tartuffe “cachez ce sein que je ne saurai voir…” Why are we belittling our prison officers whose lives are in constant danger with the ever-growing drug-business?

What about women prison officers? Have we forgotten those who are pregnant or have given birth and are still breastfeeding? Who cares?

All former Commissioner of Prisons (Mr Duff, Mr Vijaya Warayen, Mr Bookun and Mr Bruneau) have all contributed to transform prisons into reform institutions while at the same time upgrading

the arduous job of prison officers… Elections are looming.

In fact, the Labour Party must thank the actual Commissioner of prison, who has by his idiotic decisions swayed all the prison officers and prisoners (because of non-respect of human rights) to vote in its favour.

The boomerang effect of the prison officers will cater for the injustices. The Law of Karma! Of course, things can change rapidly if the PM decides to do what should be done. But can he act fast!