15.3 METEOROLOGICAL SERVICES 15.3.1 The Mauritius Meteorological Services (MMS) operates under the aegis of the Prime Minister s Office. Its mission is to provide accurate, timely weather information and meteorological products for the general welfare of the citizens of the Republic. It has overall national, regional and international commitments as a member of the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). Its function is to keep constant watch on the atmospheric conditions within a very large area of the globe over land, sea and in the atmosphere. 15.3.2 Services provided by the MMS include, among others, warning of natural hazards affecting the country; maritime and aeronautical forecasts for national and international purposes; monitoring and timely warnings of Tsunami; systematic archival of meteorological data on weather elements and generate products requested by clients; making provision of medium to long range seasonal forecasts for policy makers; and provision of meteorological information and advice to stakeholders. 15.3.3 The main objectives of the MMS are to assess weather and the state of the climate and provide accurate and timely predictions to, inter alia, ensure safety of life and property on all territories of Mauritius; assist individuals, agencies and authorities engaged in planning, primary production, industry, trade and commerce; ensure safety of air and maritime navigation; provide inputs for sustainable economic growth and protection of environment; and fulfill the regional and international obligations of Mauritius in the field of meteorology. 15.3.4 Meteorological stations are situated all over the island together with outstations in Rodrigues, Agalega and St Brandon islands and the headquarters is found at Vacoas. 15.3.5 A Director heads the MMS and is supported by two Deputy Directors and officers of the Meteorologist and Meteorological Technician cadres. The Electronic Technician cadre provides the necessary backup at the supportive level. 15.3.6 The organisation structure being appropriate, we are maintaining same and revising the different allowances payable to the professional and technical staff. We are also restyling the grades in the Electronic Technician cadre to reflect the nature of duties performed by the incumbents. Electronic Technician Cadre 15.3.7 Officers of the Electronic Technician cadre are responsible for installing and operating all electronic equipment in use at the Meteorological Services; performing routine maintenance and repairs of all Meteorological equipment ~129~ Pay Review 2013
and ensuring that all equipment required for observations and dissemination of Meteorological data are in optimal and perfect working conditions. 15.3.8 The Chief Electronic Technician is the head of the cadre and he is assisted in the performance of his duties by officers in the grades of Electronic Technician, Senior Electronic Technician and Principal Electronic Technician. 15.3.9 During the course of consultations with the Management of the Meteorological Services and the representatives of the Electronic Technician cadre, it was submitted that the duties of the officers of the Electronic Technician cadre have evolved more towards Information Technology and Telecommunication Systems. In addition, officers in the Electronic Technician cadre are required to obtain the Technician Certificate in Telecommunications and Electronics Engineering or the Technician Certificate in Telecommunications Systems awarded by the City and Guilds of the London Institute. 15.3.10 In view of the above, it has been requested that the grades in the cadre be restyled to more appropriate job appellations in line with the qualification requirements and nature of duties and responsibilities devolving upon the incumbents. We are recommending accordingly. Recommendation 1 15.3.11 We recommend that the grades in the Electronic Technician Cadre at the Meteorological Services be restyled as follows: From To Trainee Electronic Technician Electronic Technician Senior Electronic Technician Principal Electronic Technician Chief Electronic Technician Trainee Meteorological Telecommunications Technician Meteorological Telecommunications Technician Senior Meteorological Telecommunications Technician Principal Meteorological Telecommunications Technician Chief Meteorological Telecommunications Technician Height Allowance 15.3.12 At present, Electronic Technicians and officers posted in the instrument section of the Meteorological Services, who are required to climb masts and Pay Review 2013 ~130~
towers above 20 feet for the maintenance, servicing and repair of the anemometers, are paid a non-pensionable Height Allowance at the rate of 80% of the normal hourly rate. We are maintaining the payment of the allowance and revising the quantum. Recommendation 2 15.3.13 We recommend that Meteorological Telecommunications Technicians formerly Electronic Technicians and officers of the Meteorological Services, who are required to climb masts and towers above 20 feet, should continue to be paid a non-pensionable height allowance. The computation of the allowance for the number of hours of work performed at the height of over 20 feet, should continue to be at 80% of the normal hourly rate. Training Allowance 15.3.14 Divisional Meteorologists and Meteorologists, Chief Meteorological Technician and Principal Meteorological Technicians provide formal as well as classroom training to new recruits of the Department. The training usually lasts for 1¼ to 1½ hours per session and these officers are paid the fees of Rs 440 and Rs 280 respectively for dispensing the training courses. We are reviewing the quantum of the fees. Recommendation 3 15.3.15 We recommend that the fees of Rs 440 and Rs 280 per session of 1¼ to 1½ hours presently payable respectively to officers of the Meteorological Services who are required to give training be revised as follows:- Grades Divisional Meteorologist and Meteorologist Chief Meteorological Technician and Principal Meteorological Technician Amount (Rs) 485 310 Allowance to Meteorologist 15.3.16 Meteorologists are required to work on a roster system from 0400 hours to 2200 hours daily including Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays. A Meteorologist is also required to be on call from 2200 hours to 0400 hours the next day against the payment of an on-call allowance of Rs165 daily and an in-attendance allowance of Rs165 per hour when required to attend duty ~131~ Pay Review 2013
while on-call inclusive of travelling time. The quantum of these allowances is being revised. Recommendation 4 15.3.17 We recommend that the On-Call Allowance payable to the Meteorologist be revised to Rs 180 daily. 15.3.18 We further recommend that the Meteorologist be paid an allowance of Rs 180 per hour when required to attend duty, while on-call, inclusive of travelling time. Shift, Roster and Night Allowance 15.3.19 Officers in the grades of Trainee Meteorological Technician, Meteorological Technician and Senior Meteorological Technician work on shift and Meteorologists work on roster. These elements have been considered while recommending salaries of these grades. 15.3.20 Presently, Trainee Meteorological Technicians, Meteorological Technicians and Senior Meteorological Technicians who effectively perform night duty are paid a Night Duty Allowance equivalent to 17.5% of the normal hourly rate per hour for the hours worked between 2300 hours and 0500 hours including up to a maximum of two hours lying-in period. We are maintaining the payment of the allowance and revising the quantum in terms of the set percentage. Recommendation 5 15.3.21 We recommend that Trainee Meteorological Technicians, Meteorological Technicians and Senior Meteorological Technicians who effectively work on night shift should continue to be paid a Night Duty Allowance equivalent to 17.5% of the normal rate per hour for the hours between 2300 hours and 0500 hours including up to a maximum of two hours lying-in period. METEOROLOGICAL SERVICES SALARY SCHEDULE Salary Code Salary Scale and Grade 19 00 90 Rs 102000 Director 19 74 82 Rs 59400 x 1800 68400 x 2400 75600 Deputy Director Pay Review 2013 ~132~
Salary Code Salary Scale and Grade 19 64 75 Rs 44100 x 1500 57600 x 1800 61200 Divisional Meteorologist 19 48 71 Rs 26250 x 750 28500 x 900 33000 x 1200 36600 x 1500 51600 PB 53100 x 1500 54600 Meteorologist 19 41 43 Rs 21000 x 750 22500 Trainee Meteorologist 22 48 67 Rs 26250 x 750 28500 x 900 33000 x 1200 36600 x 1500 48600 Telecommunication Engineer 22 53 63 Rs 30300 x 900 33000 x 1200 36600 x 1500 42600 Chief Meteorological Telecommunications Technician(Personal to officers in post as at 30.06.08) formerly Chief Electronic Technician 22 52 62 Rs 29400 x 900 33000 x 1200 36600 x 1500 41100 Chief Meteorological Telecommunications Technician formerly Chief Electronic Technician 22 49 60 Rs 27000 x 750 28500 x 900 33000 x 1200 36600 x 1500 38100 Principal Meteorological Telecommunications Technician(Personal to officers in post as at 30.06.08) formerly Principal Electronic Technician 22 47 58 Rs 25500 x 750 28500 x 900 33000 x 1200 36600 x 1500 35400 Principal Meteorological Telecommunications Technician formerly Principal Electronic Technician 22 39 58 Rs 19500 x 750 28500 x 900 33000 x 1200 35400 Senior Meteorological Telecommunications Technician(Personal to officers in post as at 30.06.08) formerly Senior Electronic Technician ~133~ Pay Review 2013
Salary Code Salary Scale and Grade 22 36 55 Rs 17850 x 450 18300 x 600 19500 x 750 28500 x 900 32100 Senior Meteorological Telecommunications Technician formerly Senior Electronic Technician 22 24 51 Rs 13400 x 300 14300 x 350 16050 x 450 18300 x 600 19500 x 750 28500 Meteorological Telecommunications Technician(Personal to officers in post as at 30.06.08) formerly Electronic Technician 22 21 48 Rs 12500 x 300 14300 x 350 16050 x 450 18300 x 600 19500 x 750 26250 Meteorological Telecommunications Technician formerly Electronic Technician 22 12 14 Rs 10250 x 250 10750 Trainee Meteorological Telecommunications Technician formerly Trainee Electronic Technician 19 56 67 Rs 33000 x 1200 36600 x 1500 48600 Chief Meteorological Technician 19 50 62 Rs 27750 x 750 28500 x 900 33000 x 1200 36600 x 1500 41100 Principal Meteorological Technician 19 45 58 Rs 24000 x 750 28500 x 900 33000 x 1200 35400 Senior Meteorological Technician 19 24 52 Rs 13400 x 300 14300 x 350 16050 x 450 18300 x 600 19500 x 750 28500 x 900 29400 Meteorological Technician 19 16 18 Rs 11250 x 250 11750 Trainee Meteorological Technician Pay Review 2013 ~134~
Salary Code Salary Scale and Grade 19 20 50 Rs 12250 x 250 12500 x 300 14300 x 350 16050 x 450 18300 x 600 19500 x 750 27750 Meteorological Observer (Agalega) 19 12 14 Rs 10250 x 250 10750 Trainee Meteorological Observer (Agalega) 24 11 36 Rs 10000 x 250 12500 x 300 14300 x 350 16050 x 450 17850 Driver 24 07 29 Rs 9000 x 250 12500 x 300 14300 x 350 15000 Watchman 24 00 22 Rs 7400 x 200 7600 x 225 8500 x 250 12500 x 300 12800 General Worker (Personal to employees in post as at 30.06.08) 24 00 16 Rs 7400 x 200 7600 x 225 8500 x 250 11250 General Worker ********** ~135~ Pay Review 2013
Pay Review 2013 ~136~