Nestled in the Indian Ocean, Mauritius is more than just a tropical paradise known for its stunning beaches and vibrant culture.
This small island nation, home to attractions such as the Chamarel Seven Colored Earth and Black River Gorges National Park, is rapidly emerging as an appealing option for companies seeking to hire international remote employees.
Mauritius offers a compelling proposition for employers: a highly educated workforce with a 92% literacy rate, coupled with widespread English and French proficiency.
Advantages of Hiring in Mauritius
In addition to a skilled population, Mauritius also boasts a convenient time zone (GMT+4). The workday in Mauritius conveniently overlaps with afternoon hours in Europe and morning hours in Asia, facilitating real-time collaboration in those regions.
Mauritius’s average monthly net salary is cost-effective at USD 600-750 — roughly seven times lower than in the U.S. (USD 4,500 per month).
Some key stats to know about Mauritius include:
- Currency: Mauritian Rupee (MUR)
- Languages: English, French, Mauritian Creole
- Capital City: Port Louis
- Population: 1.27 million
- Cost of Living Rank: 118th
A Hub of Innovation and Stability
Since gaining independence in 1968, Mauritius has undergone a remarkable economic transformation.
Thanks to investments in infrastructure such as high-speed internet, data centers, and technology, Mauritius now has the highest ICT Development Index (IDI) among African countries.
Internet subscriptions in Mauritius stand at 152.6 per 100 inhabitants, and the country ranks fourth in Africa in terms of average mobile internet speed (33.87 Mbps), making remote collaboration seamless.
The initiatives outlined under the Digital Mauritius 2030 plan aim to further strengthen this digital foundation by:
- Improving internet connectivity via new submarine cables, data centers, and widespread availability of high-speed internet (fiber, 5G)
- Setting up an AI council ****that provides incentives for research and attracting multinational R&D centers to foster innovation in these areas
- Creating a tech-savvy, future-ready workforce through the Digital Youth Engagement Program
The Mauritian government plans to develop four Smart Cities nationwide to attract international investors, tech companies, and startups, which is expected to fuel remote job opportunities.
Common job sectors for international companies hiring remote global talent in Mauritius include:
- Senior software developer
- Data science analyst
- Sales account executive
- Product manager
- Operations manager
Mauritius’ strong emphasis on enhancing workforce skills, particularly in ICT, engineering, and biotechnology, through partnerships with international educational institutions makes it an appealing talent pool to draw on for remote international hiring.
Hiring Compliantly in Mauritius
Employment Contracts
In Mauritius, written employment contracts are mandatory for all employees hired for over 30 consecutive working days. Key provisions that must be included are:
- Job title and description
- Working hours and place of work
- Remuneration details, including salary and benefits
- Leave entitlements
- The notice period for termination
- Duration of contract (if fixed-term)
Verbal contracts are also binding in Mauritius.
Working Hours and Pay
The standard work week is 45 hours, typically five 9-hour days. Any overtime is compensated at 1.5 to 3 times the average hourly rate. As of 2024, the national minimum wage is MUR 16,500.
In Mauritius, the end-of-year bonus (13th-month salary) is mandatory for most private sector employees and is equivalent to one month’s basic salary. This bonus is typically paid in December or early January and may be prorated for employees who have worked for a company for less than a full year.
Probation Periods
While not mandatory, probation periods of 1-3 months are standard in Mauritius.
Employer Taxes
Employers in Mauritius are responsible for the following social security and human resource development contributions:
- Contribution Sociale Generalisee (CSG): 3-9% of the employee’s basic salary (depending on income thresholds and sectors)
- National Savings Fund (NSF): 2.5% of the employee’s basic salary
- HRDC Levy: 1% of the employee’s basic salary (for training and skills development)
Termination Process and Severance Pay
An employer in Mauritius may terminate an employee’s contract on justified grounds, such as poor performance or misconduct. However, employers must provide a notice period of at least one month.
Terminated employees are entitled to severance pay based on their length of service and the reason for termination.
Paid Leave Laws in Mauritius
Vacation and Holiday
Employees in Mauritius are entitled to 22 days of paid annual leave after completing 12 months of service. After five consecutive years of service with the same employer, employees receive 30 days of annual leave.
Employees receive several paid public holidays, such as:
- New Year’s Day
- Chinese Spring Festival
- National Day
- Eid Al-Fitr
- Diwali
- All Saint’s Day
- Christmas Day
Sick Leave
Full-time employees in Mauritius are entitled to 15 days of paid sick leave annually. A medical certificate is required for absences exceeding three consecutive days.
Parental Leave
Mauritius offers 14 weeks of paid maternity leave for employees with at least 12 months of service. Fathers receive five continuous working days of paternity leave. Paternity leave is paid for those employed for at least 12 months. Otherwise, it’s unpaid.
Why Digital Nomads Love Mauritius
Introduced in 2020, the Premium Visa allows digital nomads to live and work remotely in Mauritius — as long they don’t work for a Mauritian employer — for six months to one year, with the possibility of renewal.
Other visa options include the Occupation Permit, a combined work and residence visa, and the Permanent Residence Permit (PRP), which offers a 20-year residency and is renewable for another 20 years.
Mauritius offers a business-friendly environment with its simplified tax system and growing ecosystem of remote work arrangements, such as coworking spaces and digital hubs with Wi-Fi connectivity. Mauritius is also an appealing option for self-employed freelancers and digital nomads due to its:
- Low cost of living: Mauritius offers a high quality of life at a relatively low cost, with bustling cities and serene beaches all within easy reach.
- Digital infrastructure: Mauritius’ investment in high-speed internet and tech parks provides reliable connectivity for remote work.
- Work-life balance: The island’s natural beauty, tropical weather, and leisure activities offer an excellent environment for maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
Hire in Mauritius with Remofirst
An Employer of Record (EOR) is responsible for legally employing global employees. This includes onboarding, international payroll, managing benefits such as health insurance, and ensuring compliance with local employment laws. It also eliminates the need to establish a local entity in the country where you’re hiring.
As an EOR, Remofirst facilitates global hiring in more than 180 countries, including Mauritius. Book a demo to see how we can help you employ the top talent around the world.
