Mauritania is a land of breathtaking contrasts, from the sweeping sands of the Sahara Desert to the vibrant ecosystems of Banc d'Arguin National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Beyond its natural wonders, Mauritania is emerging as a hub for skilled remote talent in human resource and customer service roles, making it an attractive option for companies building global teams.
Key Takeaways:
- Mauritania provides businesses access to a young talent base eager for global employment opportunities.
- With low labor costs and the government's focus on vocational training, Mauritania offers a skilled and affordable talent pool.
- Mauritania's workforce excels in several different industries, including marketing, finance, and IT.
Advantages of Hiring in Mauritania
Mauritania's focus on technical education and training has led to initiatives like the Kosmos Innovation Center, which nurtures the development of local talent through entrepreneurship and skills development.
Some quick stats about Mauritania include:
- Language: Arabic
- Currency: Mauritanian Ouguiya (MRU)
- Capital City: Nouakchott
- Population: 5.23 million
- Cost of Living Rank: 146th
Rising Investments in Vocational Training and Development
The vocational training agreement signed with Morocco in 2022 is dedicated to enhancing private enterprise training in Mauritania, focusing on equipping youth with essential skills across various disciplines.
Germany is also supporting the Mauritanian government in expanding vocational training programs nationwide. This includes financial cooperation to modernize training facilities, enhance teacher qualifications, and develop curricula that align with market needs.
These initiatives are part of a broader effort designed to improve job opportunities and economic conditions in light of a rising unemployment rate.
While the official language of Mauritania is Arabic, a large percentage of the population also speaks French.
Some common remote job sectors in Mauritania include:
- Information Technology
- Marketing
- Finance and Accounting
- Customer Support
- Human Resources
Employment Laws: Hiring Compliantly in Mauritania
Employment Contracts
There are two primary types of employment contracts in Mauritania: fixed-term and indefinite-term.
- Fixed-term contracts: These contracts specify a predetermined duration for employment and can be renewed twice, with a maximum length of two years. They are ideal for temporary roles or project-based work.
- Indefinite-term contracts: Also known as open-ended contracts, there is no specified end date, and the contract continues until either party terminates it. They are typically used for permanent positions.
Working Hours & Pay
The standard workweek in Mauritania is eight hours per day, 40 hours per week.
As of 2024, the minimum wage is MRU 45,000 per month.
Probation Periods
The probationary period in Mauritania is generally two to three months and cannot exceed six months for any worker.
Employer Taxes
Employers must contribute 15% of an employee's gross salary, capped at MRU 15,000 per month, to the Caisse Nationale de Sécurité Sociale (CNSS).
Termination Process & Severance Pay
In Mauritania, employers must provide written notice when terminating employees. There is no required legal notice period, but it's typically based on the length of service and employment type.
Additionally, there are no statutory provisions for severance pay unless it's part of an individual or collective agreement. Employers may also choose to provide a severance package if they wish.
Paid Leave Laws in Mauritania
Vacation and Holiday
Employees accrue one and a half working days of paid annual leave for every month of service, which works out to 18 days per year.
There are several paid public holidays in Mauritania, including:
- Eid al-Fitr
- Independence Day
- Africa Day
- Islamic New Year
- International Labor Day
Sick Leave
There is no statutory sick leave in Mauritania. However, collective or individual agreements may include sick leave provisions.
Maternity Leave
In Mauritania, female employees receive 14 weeks of paid maternity leave, which includes a mandatory eight weeks following childbirth.
Mothers are also entitled to one extra day of paid time off each year for each child under 14.
Paternity Leave
There is no statutory paternity leave in Mauritania.
Mauritania's Growing Appeal for Remote Work
Digital nomads are drawn to Mauritania for its unique blend of cultural richness and emerging digital infrastructure. While the country doesn't offer a specific digital nomad visa, the Tourist Visa allows stays of up to 90 days.
Mauritania offers affordable coliving spaces that foster community and collaboration among remote workers, making it an attractive base for those seeking productivity and social interaction.
How to Pay Remote Workers in Mauritania
Employers can choose from multiple payment methods to pay their Mauritanian employees, including bank wire transfers, PayPal, and Wise.
Bank transfers are secure but may incur delays and high fees, while mobile solutions provide faster transactions but with some limitations on amounts and security.
Before setting up a payment method, it's important to consider:
- Compliance with Mauritania's payroll regulations and tax obligations
- Fluctuating currency rates can affect payment costs
- Risks of employee misclassification leading to fines and compliance issues
Partnering with an Employer of Record (EOR) simplifies the payroll process as the EOR manages compliance, tax obligations, and payment logistics, ensuring seamless and timely payments for Mauritanian remote workers.
Hire in Mauritania with RemoFirst
Hiring remote employees in Mauritania can be challenging due to complex regulations, payroll management, and local labor laws.
An EOR like RemoFirst streamlines the process by acting as the legal employer and handling onboarding, payroll, compliance, and benefits administration for your remote global employees.
This allows you to hire employees quickly and efficiently in Mauritania and over 180 other countries without needing to navigate the intricacies of local employment laws.
Book a demo to discover how RemoFirst can assist with your remote hiring needs.
