====== Mauritius ====== **Region:** Eastern Africa **Regional Economic Communities (REC):** COMESA · SADC → [[https://iiag.online/locations/mu.html|View IIAG Country Statistics]] ---- ^ Indicator ^ Data ^ | **Governance (IIAG)** | Overall Governance score: 72.8 / 100 · Rank: 2nd / 54 | ---- ===== PART 1 – HIGH-LEVEL COUNTRY MAPPING ===== ==== Institutions and Stakeholder Database ==== (To be linked) ---- ==== REC Membership ==== * COMESA * SADC ---- ==== Population size and size of the informal economy ==== The population of Mauritius is approximately **1.26 million**. The informal economy is estimated to account for **21.6% of GDP**, equivalent to approximately **USD 10 billion** (PPP-adjusted estimates). ---- ==== Nature of the legal system and ILO status ==== Mauritius has a **hybrid legal system**, combining elements of: * French civil law (Napoleonic Code tradition) * English common law This dual system reflects the country’s colonial history and continues to shape labour and commercial regulation. Mauritius has been a member of the **International Labour Organization (ILO) since 1969**. The country implements the **Mauritius Decent Work Country Programme (MDWCP)**, which: * Promotes decent and productive employment * Strengthens social dialogue * Enhances social protection and labour rights A second-generation MDWCP (2024–2029) is under development, focusing on inclusive growth and sustainable employment. ---- ==== Workers’ rights in human rights system, national labour law / social protection and scope of protection ==== Mauritius has a relatively advanced labour rights framework. Key legislation includes: * **Workers’ Rights Act 2019 (Act No. 20 of 2019)** * **Employment Rights Act 2008** * **Employment Relations Act 2008** These laws provide for: * Protection against discrimination * Minimum wage standards * Regulation of working hours * Occupational safety and health * Collective labour relations Mauritius also maintains a **comprehensive social protection system**, including: * Free education and healthcare * Social assistance programmes * Social security schemes However, enforcement challenges persist, and certain categories of workers (including some public sector workers) may fall outside full coverage. ---- ==== Existing laws, policy and regulatory initiatives for the protection of workers in the informal economy ==== Mauritius adopts a **progressive integration approach**, extending elements of labour law and social protection to informal and self-employed workers through sectoral regulation and general legislation. ---- ===== PART 2 – SECTOR SPECIFIC REGULATION ===== ---- ==== Domestic Work Sector ==== The domestic work sector in Mauritius includes both local and migrant workers and remains partially informal. Key features: * Recognition of domestic workers’ rights, including through alignment with **ILO Convention No. 189** * Persistent challenges: * Low wages * Limited social protection coverage * Informality in employment arrangements **Regulatory note:** Ongoing efforts are required to formalise the sector and ensure effective protection. ---- ==== Street Vendor ==== Street vendors (“hawkers”) are legally recognised. **Trade and Industries Classification Act 1951 (TICA)** * Defines a hawker as a person selling goods in public spaces without permanent premises **Local Government Act 1989 (LGA)** **Classified Trade Regulations 1954** * Provide licensing requirements * Establish health and safety standards Additional regulation includes: * **Food Act 1998** * **Food Regulations 1999** * **Food Standards Agency Act 2022** * **Public Order Act 1991** Vendors must obtain **trade licences** from local authorities. **Regulatory note:** Street vending is regulated through a combination of licensing, public health, and municipal control mechanisms. ---- ==== Waste Reclaiming ==== Mauritius regulates waste management through: * **Environment Protection Act 2002 (Act 19 of 2002)** * **Local Government (Amendment) Act 2018** These frameworks address: * Waste collection and disposal * Recycling and environmental protection * Registration of recyclers and exporters The **Ministry of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change** oversees policy implementation. **Regulatory note:** No single dedicated law on waste reclaimers, but strong indirect regulation exists. ---- ==== Home working ==== **Workers’ Rights (Working from Home) Regulations 2020** * Regulate remote work arrangements * Allow employees to request remote work * Allow employers to mandate remote work under certain conditions **Regulatory note:** Mauritius is one of the few African jurisdictions with explicit remote work regulation. ---- ==== Gig Work and the Platform Economy ==== Mauritius does not yet have sector-specific legislation for gig/platform work. However: * **Employment Rights Act 2008** applies where employment relationships are established * Existing social security frameworks may extend to certain workers **2019 Mobility Law** * Allows platform operators to adopt social responsibility charters * These are **non-binding** **Regulatory note:** Policy discussions are ongoing regarding formal regulation of platform work. ---- ==== Farm Work ==== Farm workers are regulated under: * **Workers’ Rights Act 2019** * **Sugar Industry (Agricultural Workers) (Remuneration) Regulations 2019** * **Livestock Workers (Remuneration) Regulations 2019** These laws provide for: * Minimum wages * Working conditions * Leave entitlements * Maternity protection ---- ==== Mining Sector and Artisanal Mining ==== Mauritius has a structured regulatory framework: * **Minerals Act 1966 (as amended)** * **Environmental Code 2023 (Law 2023-15)** These regulate: * Exploration and mining activities * Environmental compliance (including impact assessments) A **2022 policy initiative** aims to formalise artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM). **Regulatory note:** Implementation challenges remain, particularly in distinguishing artisanal from illegal mining. ---- ==== Taxi and Transport Sector (Gig-work/platform economy overlap) ==== Regulated under: * **Road Traffic Act 1962 (as amended, including 2023 amendments)** * **National Land Transport Authority Act 2019** These provide for: * Licensing requirements * Operational standards * Regulatory oversight of transport services ---- ==== Cross-Border Informal Trade ==== Cross-border informal trade involves small-scale, often unregistered transactions. Key characteristics: * Limited regulatory oversight * Not always formally recorded or taxed * Potential implications: * Revenue loss * Monitoring challenges * Regulatory gaps **Regulatory note:** While not always illegal, the sector remains weakly regulated. ---- ===== Sources / Links ===== * IIAG – Mauritius: https://iiag.online/locations/mu.html * ILO Country Profile – Mauritius (to be linked) * Workers’ Rights Act 2019 * Employment Rights Act 2008 * Trade and Industries Classification Act 1951 * Environment Protection Act 2002