Insight · October 2026

Mauritius employment law changes 2026: status ledger for employers

Mauritius employment law changes 2026 affect job offers, payroll and leave planning. This page summarises selected changes from 2025 and 2026 as at October 2026. It will change as new laws, notices and instructions are published.

Indian Ocean Millenium Partners, also trading as JNP Recruiting Services, is a manpower consultancy that advises employers. Recruitment decisions, permit applications, contracts and payroll stay with the employer.

Last reviewed October 2026. Rules change, so confirm the current requirements with the authorities before you apply.

Supermarket aisle in Mauritius, a workplace covered by the 2026 pay and leave changes

Work Permits and foreign worker recruitment

How to use this page: each change carries a status. Announced means a policy proposal only. Enacted means the law has been passed or gazetted but may not have started. In force means it applies now. Operational means the system or procedure is live. The Economic and Financial Measures (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2026 (Act 13) and the Finance Act 2026 (Act 14) were both gazetted on 13 August 2026, but their provisions start on different dates.

Electronic Work Permits (Operational): Following a Ministry notice of 29 August 2025, Work Permits have been issued electronically since 1 September 2025. Download the digitally signed permit, which carries a QR code, from NELS and keep it on the employee's file.
Quotas and ratios abolished (Operational): The Ministry's Work Permit Information Sheet of February 2026 states that Permission in Principle is no longer needed and that the quota/ratio system has been abolished. You must still show that you could not fill the post locally. Keep your vacancy adverts and the outcome of your contact with the National Employment Department.
Recruitment route (Operational): Under the Ministry's Guidelines of 18 March 2026, employers should generally recruit a non-citizen worker through a duly licensed private recruitment agency. Direct recruitment is possible only in exceptional cases, with the Permanent Secretary's authorisation. The employer pays the recruitment fees, so budget for them and record which route you chose.
Agricultural labour contractors (In force): GN 129 of 2026 came into operation on 18 July 2026. It sets up a separate framework of registered labour contractors for agricultural work. Before using this route, ask the Ministry whether your organisation and the proposed arrangement qualify.

Occupation Permit salary and renewal

Professional salary threshold (In force): Act 13 sets a monthly basic salary of at least MUR 50,000 for a professional Occupation Permit. This has applied since the Act was gazetted on 13 August 2026. For a new application, compare basic salary on its own, without allowances. Meeting the salary figure does not by itself make the applicant eligible.
First-renewal transition (In force): From 1 October 2026, a professional who already holds an Occupation Permit is assessed on the criteria that applied before the amendments at the first renewal. Confirm the permit history with EDB before deciding whether the offer or salary needs to change.
Technical Occupation Permit and student employment permit (Enacted, check commencement): Act 13 provides that both start on a date to be fixed by Proclamation. Before relying on either route, ask EDB about the Technical Occupation Permit and the Ministry about the student employment permit, and confirm that applications are open.

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Minimum wage and pension contributions

National minimum wage and additional remuneration (In force): GN 8 of 2026 raises the national minimum wage for full-time workers to Rs 17,745 a month from 1 January 2026. GN 7 of 2026 provides Rs 635 a month of additional remuneration for full-time workers whose monthly basic pay is up to Rs 50,000, subject to its conditions. Check what current pay already includes before changing it.
Sector wage schedules (In force): Sector pay regulations were updated too. For example, the Catering and Tourism Industries (Remuneration) (Amendment) Regulations 2026 were made on 4 May 2026 and apply from 1 January 2026. Their rates already include the 2026 additional remuneration. Match each worker's job and length of service to the right schedule before working out any arrears.
NPF reform (Announced): The Budget Speech of 19 June 2026 announced a revamped National Pensions Fund (NPF), replacing CSG and PRGF contributions, from 1 July 2027. Acts 13 and 14 of 2026 do not set it up, so it is not yet law. Keep applying the current CSG and PRGF rules, and check with MRA before changing deductions or employer contributions.

Which leave changes apply now?

Menstrual leave (In force): Since 13 August 2026, Act 13 entitles every female worker to one day of menstrual leave a month on full pay, for a day when severe period-related symptoms stop her from working. Set up a private way to request it and record it in the leave register.
Longer maternity and paternity leave (Enacted, from 1 January 2027): From 1 January 2027, Act 13 gives 26 weeks' maternity leave on full pay, with the option of up to 26 further weeks on half pay, and six consecutive weeks' paternity leave. Check the eligibility conditions and plan cover before that date.

What HR should do now

Assign an owner. Give each affected offer, payroll setting or leave policy a named owner and a recorded status.
Check the evidence. Compare contracts, permits, payslips and sector classifications. Keep copies of the official documents behind each change.
Keep current and future rules apart. Prepare for future leave changes, but do not treat an announcement or an unconfirmed start date as a current entitlement.
Ask before you act. Send permit questions to EDB or the Ministry, and contribution questions to MRA. Keep their replies on the relevant file.

Frequently asked questions

Can employers recruit foreign workers directly in Mauritius?

Only in exceptional cases. The Ministry's Guidelines of 18 March 2026 expect employers to use a duly licensed private recruitment agency. Direct recruitment needs the Permanent Secretary's authorisation.

Does the Rs 17,745 minimum wage include Rs 635 compensation?

Yes, for full-time workers. The minimum wage regulations count the 2026 additional remuneration as part of the Rs 17,745, so do not add Rs 635 on top. Sector schedules for 2026 also include it.

Is maternity leave already 26 weeks in Mauritius?

No. The 26-week rule starts on 1 January 2027. Until then, apply the maternity leave rules currently in force.

Official sources

* About this information: the content on this page is based on official sources that were checked in October 2026 and was accurate at that time. Government rules, fees and processing times change, sometimes at short notice. Before relying on any point on this page, confirm it with the Ministry of Labour and Industrial Relations, the Economic Development Board or the Passport and Immigration Office. This page is general information, not legal advice.