Mauritius may be an island paradise, but it’s the country’s strategic location as a gateway between Africa and Asia, coupled with its political stability and robust economy, that makes it an attractive destination for businesses. But why might you want to hire workers from Mauritius?
Good question! With a population of approximately 1.3 million people, Mauritius may be small, but it is hugely diverse. The island is home to a blend of ethnic groups including Indo-Mauritians, Creoles, Sino-Mauritians, and Franco-Mauritians. This multicultural mix can be a valuable asset for companies looking to bring different perspectives and ideas to their workforce.
The country has made significant strides in the fields of information technology, hospitality, and finance, leading to a pool of highly skilled professionals in these areas. It’s the growth of the latter industry, in particular, that has established the country’s reputation as an international center of finance.
In terms of work culture, Mauritius follows a standard five-day working week, from Monday to Friday, with Saturday and Sunday being the weekend. Mauritius’s work culture promotes a healthy work-life balance; an approach reflected in the country’s labor laws, which provide for annual leave, public holidays, and maternity and sick leave benefits.
The benefits of doing business in Mauritius
Mauritius is well known as one of the most successful and competitive economies in Africa, with crucial sectors including textiles, tourism, financial and business services, and information and communication technology. Partly because of its relatively low amount of natural resources, it has cultivated an educated population to pioneer growth in the services sector.
Indeed, such is the sector’s dominance that it contributed over 65% of Mauritius’ GDP in 2022. That’s followed by the industrial sector at less than 19%–though it’s worth noting that the manufacturing industry also generates a considerable amount of employment, helping to balance workforce distribution across different sectors.
Regardless, if you’d like to make use of those professionals, why not try out our competitive global employment platform, which features country-specific pricing so you can be sure to get the best deal whether you’re hiring in Mauritius or beyond! The Multiplier platform makes the process effortless, with contract generation possible in under five minutes (seriously, we’ve timed it).
Other nuances for businesses to note when hiring in Mauritius include the construction of attractive compensation packages. It’s crucial to get this right as offering the right employee benefits enhances retention, job satisfaction, and facilitates the attraction of top-notch Mauritian talent.
Read more about benefits and compensation in Mauritius here!
We’ve still only scratched the surface of reasons to hire in Mauritius. Here are three takeaways you need to understand about the Mauritian workforce.
- English Proficiency: Mauritian workers are known for their proficiency in French and English, which are the de facto official languages. English is used particularly in education, which opens up opportunities for global businesses to tap into this multilingual talent pool.
- Steady Employment Growth: The employment rate in Mauritius has seen steady growth over the years. For instance, the employment of Mauritians was estimated at 502,500 in the first quarter of 2022 compared to 481,900 in the first quarter of 2021. This implies a healthy job market with an increasing number of professionals entering the workforce each year.
- Services Masters: As of 2021, 71% of the Mauritian workforce is in the services industry, up from 64% 10 years previously. As a result, the country has seen a glut of educated professionals arising, making it an excellent choice for companies looking to diversify their teams.
How does that sound? We know this is a lot of information to take into consideration. That’s why at Multiplier we pride ourselves on offering dedicated, 24/5 support tailored to specific countries–so you can sit back and relax in the knowledge that the professionals have things under control.
Now you’re speaking their language
Picture this scenario: you’ve hired and onboarded talent from Mauritius, and now you’re wondering what makes them tick. Consider these tips for effective communication with your Mauritian colleagues, starting with the stuff that helps no matter where they’re based:
- Clear Communication: Clearly communicate job expectations, company culture, and goals to ensure alignment. Regular check-ins and feedback sessions can help keep everyone on the same page.
- Leverage Technology: Use technology to facilitate collaboration and communication. Tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, or Trello can help manage projects effectively.
- Integration: Make efforts to integrate remote workers into the company culture. Virtual team-building activities or occasional in-person meetings (if possible) can foster a sense of belonging.
- Legal Compliance: Ensure all employment contracts and practices comply with Mauritian labor laws, even when hiring remotely. Luckily, with Multiplier, our easy-to-use platform ensures compliance is guaranteed, with automatic contract generation that dots the Is and crosses the Ts.
But you won’t be able to fully integrate your new Mauritian colleague without bonding over something on a more human level. In Mauritius, sports play a significant role in the fabric of the nation, despite its small overall population. Football (soccer) is the national sport and remains the most popular, with the national team, nicknamed Club M, representing the country on the international stage. Thanks to its status as an island paradise, outdoor activities such as parasailing, water skiing, sea kayaking, and surfing are also popular. Cowabunga!
Not everyone on the island is into sports, of course–good thing, then, that Mauritius has culture in spades! The island is a melting pot of various ethnic groups, each bringing their unique traditions, languages, and cuisines to the mix. The island’s rich historical heritage is evident in its architecture, which ranges from French colonial estates to Indian temples and modern skyscrapers.
Speaking the truth
Of course, if you really want to impress your new hire, you could try picking up some Mauritian terminology. While English and French may be the de facto official languages, everyday conversation takes place in Mauritian Creole. To greet someone in Mauritius, the word “Bonzour” is used, which translates to “Hello” in English. And when it’s time to part ways, Mauritian Creole speakers say “Orewar”, which means “Goodbye“. These simple words can help you establish an initial connection with your Mauritian counterparts.
English is widely spoken in the professional environment in Mauritius, so most work-related conversations are conducted in English. That said, understanding some basic Creole phrases can still be useful for casual conversations with colleagues. For instance, “Péna traka” translates to “No worries” and could be a friendly phrase to drop into discussions.
Much like work terms, technical jargon in Mauritius is typically discussed in English due to its status as the language of education and business. Still, with so many tongues swirling around, Mauritians often switch between languages, so don’t be surprised if you hear “Organisons une réunion Zoom”; French for “let’s have a Zoom meeting.”
Did you know?
Now that we’ve got the serious business out of the way, let’s have a quick look at some Mauritius fun facts.
The uninhabited island of Mauritius was first discovered by Arab sailors during the middle ages. However, it was the Dutch who gave the island its modern name in 1598. Influence by various colonial powers and the people they brought to the island has left Mauritius with a unique mix of cultures.
Despite its small population, the country has produced a number of famous figures, including Jean-Marie Gustave Le Clézio, an author who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2008. Born to a Mauritian father in Nice, France, he holds dual nationality of both countries.
Finally, there’s the food. Influenced by Creole, Indian, Chinese, and European culinary traditions, Mauritian food offers a unique fusion. Famed dishes include the Dholl Puri (a flatbread stuffed with ground yellow split peas), the Rougaille (a Creole dish made with tomatoes, onions, garlic, and spices), and the Mine Frites (fried noodles). Delicious!
Hungry for more Mauritius info?
We’ve got you covered! So far we’ve talked about the big picture, but our talent wiki page contains all the nitty gritty information you need to make your Mauritius hiring plans an astronomical success. Click the link for details on statutory leave, public holidays, talent sourcing locations, and much, much more!
Taxes:
Employers must contribute between 5.5% and 11.5%, consisting of National Savings fund at 2.5% and a variable Social Security contribution
Employee benefits:
- Leave
- Sick Leaves
- Maternity Leave
- Paternity Leave: 5 days
- Social Security
Visa requirements:
Non-Mauritian employees must obtain a work visa to be employed in Mauritius. Only individuals aged between twenty and sixty years are eligible for a work visa in Mauritius
Make international employment possible with Multiplier
And that’s the lowdown on hiring in Mauritius. Now you’ve heard the benefits, make your dreams a reality with Multiplier. We’re here to help businesses boost their productivity with exceptional global talent, whether from Mauritius or anywhere else!
Our presence in over 100 countries worldwide showcases the breadth of expertise we possess. Multiplier is a one-stop solution for all your global hiring needs, so why not talk to our experts and book a demo today?
