Region: Eastern Africa Regional Economic Communities (REC): COMESA · SADC

→ View IIAG Country Statistics

(To be linked)

• COMESA
• SADC

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).

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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 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

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.

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 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.

• 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