Statement

By The Hon. Minister of Finance and Economic Development

APOLLO BRAMWELL HOSPITAL
Madam Speaker,
With your permission, I will make a statement on issues raised at
adjournment by Honourable Reza Uteem on 11th August 2016.
The issues raised were as follows:
(i)

Omega Ark had undertaken to take all the employees of the

Apollo Hospital on board on the same terms and conditions.
This has created confusion in the minds of staff of other
three companies involved;

(ii)

Not all employees have received contracts of employment;

(iii)

Even those who have received contracts of employment, the

terms and conditions are not the same as existing terms.
Furthermore, some of the terms are contrary to Employment
Rights Act; and

(iv)

Termination of employment of a staff at the Apollo Bramwell

Nursing School by the Special Administrator.

Madam Speaker,
I am informed that since the start of its operations in 2009, the
staff of the following three companies have never been the
employees of Apollo Bramwell Hospital. However, the Apollo
Bramwell Hospital had recourse to the services of the three
companies. Following the collapse of the ex- BAI Group, these
companies are now being managed on a day to day basis by the
appointed Special Administrator, Mr. Yacoob Ramtoola.
The three companies are as follows:
(i)

Bramwell Catering Co Ltd - which prepares

food for

patients, expatriate staff of the Hospital and other companies

within the BAI Group;
(ii)

Metropolis Bramser Laboratory Services (Mtius) Ltd - which

offers Laboratory Services; and

(iii)

Apollo Bramwell Nursing School Co Ltd - which provides

training of nurses for the Hospital.

The Special Administrator has the responsibility to ultimately find

potential buyers for these three companies.

Madam Speaker,
With regard to the sale of the business of the Apollo Bramwell
Hospital, it was agreed, in the Asset Purchase Agreement, that (i)

only employees of the Apollo Bramwell Hospital will be

employed by Omega Ark; and

(ii)

Omega Ark will continue to avail itself of the services of the

three companies.

The employees of these three companies were fully aware that

they were not party to the eventual takeover of the Apollo
Bramwell Hospital by Omega Ark and therefore the question of
confusion prevailing in the minds of the employees of these three
companies should not arise.
In fact, the disposal of Apollo Bramwell Hospital by NIC
Healthcare Ltd and the responsibility of the Special Administrator
with regard to the above three companies are distinct matters.
Madam Speaker,
With regard to re-employment of the staff of the Apollo Bramwell
Hospital, I am informed that, as at date, all 686 employees have
been offered a contract of employment by Omega Ark.

Madam Speaker,
Following representations made by the Union, today I met the
representatives of the Confdration des Travailleurs du Secteur
Priv (CTSP) in my office.
Their principal grievances are in respect of certain clauses
contained in the new contract of employment which have been
offered to the employees. The Union is of the view that these
clauses are against the employment laws of Mauritius.
I have given the Union the assurance that officers of my Ministry
and those of the Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations,
Employment and Training will work in close collaboration to
review the clauses mentioned by them.
Madam Speaker,
With regard to the said employee of the Nursing School whose
contract was terminated by the Special Administrator, I am
informed that the matter was discussed with the Special
Administrator and the latter has agreed to find an acceptable
solution.

PKJ