How to hire qualified and skilled employees in Mauritius?

A small island in the Indian Ocean, Mauritius is famous for its white sandy beaches, multicultural scene, as well as its sustained economic growth in recent years. This development has led to a significant rise in the demand for skilled workforce in various sectors. So, if you are a foreign entrepreneur looking to start a business in Mauritius, here are some tips for hiring qualified and skilled employees.

An insight into the Mauritian workforce

Mauritius can boast a wide variety of cultures and skills altogether. Moreover, the majority of the local workforce is multilingual, besides having skills in the key sectors of the economy. Mauritians are also known for their reliability, flexibility and ability to adapt quickly to an international work environment.

Good to know

Mauritius has one of the highest literacy rates in Africa, above 90%.

What you need to know about the Mauritian labor market

Before you start recruiting in Mauritius, it’s important that you understand the local labor market. The Mauritian government is encouraging economic growth in key sectors, including information and communication technology, financial services, tourism and hospitality, as well as renewable energy. Therefore, foreign companies are encouraged to invest in these sectors and recruit locally.

Mauritius’ unique recruitment features

Pay particular attention to the local culture and norms when setting up your recruitment strategy in Mauritius. To look attractive to candidates, you should be able to provide competitive salaries, benefits, training and career development opportunities, among others.

Encouraging diversity in your recruitment process can also help attract more qualified candidates. Since Mauritian workers come from different ethnic and cultural communities, hiring locally will enable you to build a diverse team and, thus, ensure better understanding and communication with customers and business partners.

Work regulations in Mauritius

When hiring Mauritian staff, you need to pay attention to the following regulations:

• Employees in Mauritius are legally entitled to an 8-hour working day, that is 45 hours per week.
• Sunday is the weekly rest day for employees, and it must be granted at least twice a month.
• Employees are entitled to 20 days of annual leave plus two additional days at the employer’s discretion.
• Mauritius has 13 public holidays per year, 6 of which are on fixed dates.
• Employees are entitled to 15 days of sick leave for each year of continuous service with the same employer.
• The minimum wage in Mauritius is Rs 562 (Mauritian rupees) per week for unskilled workers in the export processing zone (EPZ) and Rs 734 per week for unskilled workers outside the EPZ. This minimum wage was set by the government, depending on the sector and the inflation rate.

How to hire in Mauritius

Online job boards are among the most common ways to advertise your job offers in Mauritius. LinkedIn is one of the most popular, as much as websites like Glassdoor and job-related groups on Facebook. In addition, you can participate in job fairs organized throughout the year to meet potential candidates directly.

Recruitment agencies can also help you find candidates with the right skills quickly.

Offer attractive benefits

You must offer attractive benefits to attract and retain top talent on the island. These benefits usually include competitive salaries, retirement plans, health and dental insurance, paid time off, training and professional development programs, and career growth opportunities. You should also consider workers’ quality of life by providing a pleasant work environment and a good work-life balance.

The takeaway

The Mauritian labor market is a real pool for businesses looking to recruit qualified and skilled employees. As one of the world’s most popular expat destinations, the island also attracts international talent thanks to its high quality of life, political and economic stability, and strategic position in the region.