Mr Premchandra Bissonauth was employed for nearly 27 years by the Mauritius Sugar Fund Insurance Board. In 1991 he was convicted of assault after a fight outside work. His employer dismissed him without notice, compensation or severance pay, in order to preserve its "image and integrity". He brought claims in the Mauritius Courts which were only partially upheld. In particular a claim for punitive severance pay pursuant to the Mauritius Labour Act 1975 s.32 [1] was dismissed.