Slavery, Abolition and the Contractarian Approach in the Indian Ocean: The Case of Mauritius

Abstract

This chapter discusses the limits of contractualism on the labor market after the abolition of slavery. It presents the origins and forms of the indentured immigration to Mauritius, followed by the forms of coercion and resistance in great detail, using plantation, police and justice archives. The experiences of immigrants and the enormous difficulties they encountered in defending their rights demonstrate the limits of formal equality in front of the law when it is not integrated with procedural rights, impartial law courts and political freedom. Yet, as this chapter also shows, there is the deep connection between the evolution of labor law and labor practices in Mauritius and in Britain (evolution and enforcement of the Masters and Servants Acts, Poor Laws).