Insight · October 2026

Minimum wage Mauritius 2026: compare sector rates by role

Start your hiring budget in Mauritius with the statutory minimum wage that applies to the role. Check the national minimum and the relevant sector schedule before comparing offers for a local or foreign hire.

Indian Ocean Millenium Partners, also trading as JNP Recruiting Services, advises employers on workforce budgets and job specifications as a manpower consultancy. Employment decisions remain with the employer.

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

Hospitality staff in Mauritius, a sector with its own minimum wage regulation

Which national or sector minimum wages apply?

Under the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Regulations 2026, GN No. 8 of 2026, the national minimum for covered full-time workers is Rs 17,745 a month from 1 January 2026. Sector Remuneration Regulations still apply to the roles they cover. If the applicable sector minimum is higher, you must pay at least that rate. Do not reduce a higher agreed wage to the statutory minimum.

The sector amendments below were made on 4 May 2026 and apply from 1 January 2026. Before approving an offer, check the full regulations and any later amendments.

Selected monthly basic wages by sector

The list below covers selected grades only, and the figures are a guide. They are our estimates, rounded up to the nearest Rs 100, of the minimum monthly basic wages set in the 2026 Remuneration Regulations published by the Ministry of Labour and Industrial Relations. They are legal minimums, not market rates: the pay you agree with an employee may be higher. Before setting pay, take the exact figure for the employee's grade and year of service from the Regulation, which you can find by its English name on the Ministry's wages page.

Mason, Skilled employees Grade I (Blockmaking, Construction, Stone Crushing and Related Industries (Remuneration) Regulations 2019): ~Rs 23,700 a month, first year, GN No. 67 of 2026.
Cook / Pastry Cook (Catering and Tourism Industries (Remuneration) Regulations 2019): ~Rs 21,400 a month, first year, GN No. 68 of 2026.
Nurse (Private Hospitals and Other Related Health Services (Remuneration) Regulations 2019): ~Rs 24,300 a month, first year and thereafter, GN No. 83 of 2026.
Security Guard (Private Security Services Employees (Remuneration) Regulations 2019): ~Rs 19,200 a month, first year; ~Rs 20,300 in the tenth year and thereafter, GN No. 85 of 2026.
Refrigeration Mechanic (Catering and Tourism Industries (Remuneration) Regulations 2019): ~Rs 21,400 a month, first year, GN No. 68 of 2026.
Factory Operator (Factory Employees (Remuneration) Regulations 2019): ~Rs 18,400 a month, first year, GN No. 74 of 2026.
Field Labourer Grade I (Field-crop and Orchard Workers (Remuneration) Regulations 2019): ~Rs 18,500 a month, GN No. 75 of 2026.
Field Labourer Grade II (Field-crop and Orchard Workers (Remuneration) Regulations 2019): ~Rs 17,800 a month, GN No. 75 of 2026.
Driver grade I (Road Haulage Industry (Remuneration) Regulations 2019): ~Rs 19,300 a month, first year, GN No. 87 of 2026.
Tanker Driver (Road Haulage Industry (Remuneration) Regulations 2019): ~Rs 20,100 a month, first year, GN No. 87 of 2026.
Electrician / Motor Mechanic, Superior grade (Electrical, Engineering and Mechanical Workshops (Remuneration) Regulations 2019): ~Rs 21,100 a month, first year, GN No. 73 of 2026.

Need workers for your business? Tell us the roles and numbers and we will come back with a plan.

Salary compensation 2026: should Rs 635 be added again?

The schedule figures shown here already include the additional remuneration under the Workers' Rights (Additional Remuneration) (2026) Regulations 2026. GN No. 7 of 2026 sets this at Rs 635 a month for covered full-time workers with monthly basic pay of up to Rs 50,000. Do not add Rs 635 again when using these figures.

For current employees, check how the additional remuneration appears in payroll. Using these minimum scales does not allow you to remove that payment or reduce agreed pay.

How should HR match the role?

Sector first. Check the Regulation's scope. A hotel refrigeration role and a workshop role need different comparisons; factory rates are not automatically export-enterprise rates.
Duties and grade. Record actual tasks, skill level and qualifications. Match the grade definition, not just the vacancy title.
Service band. Check how qualifying service is counted. A new appointment does not by itself establish the first-year band.
Working pattern. For part-time work, confirm the applicable calculation with the Ministry of Labour and Industrial Relations. Do not simply divide a monthly figure.
Approval record. Save the relevant schedule, classification reasons and calculation with the offer and payroll instructions.

Apply the relevant statutory wage protections to foreign workers too. Section 26 of the Workers' Rights Act 2019 requires equal remuneration for work of equal value. Ask the Ministry to clarify any uncertain classification before finalising pay.

What belongs in the total employment cost budget?

Keep the statutory minimum, the agreed basic wage and total employment cost separate. Under the Workers' Rights Act 2019, basic pay excludes overtime, bonuses and allowances paid on top of the wage. The agreed basic wage may be higher than the minimum.

Budget separately for overtime, applicable allowances and the end-of-year bonus. Include the employer's CSG contribution where it applies and PRGF contributions for covered workers. MRA's PRGF guide excludes non-citizen or migrant workers. CSG has separate exclusions. Ask MRA to confirm which contributions apply to the employee.

For a foreign hire, include accommodation, travel, permit procedures, medical steps and onboarding in the cost worksheet. Obtain current requirements and quotations rather than treating the wage as the whole cost. Review the full Regulation whenever duties, service or rates change.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Mauritius minimum wage of Rs 17,745 enough for every role?

No. A higher applicable sector minimum must be respected.

Is ~Rs 21,100 the minimum wage for every electrician in Mauritius?

No. This selection identifies the first-year Superior grade in the workshop Regulation.

Are sector minimum wages in Mauritius market salary estimates?

No. They are selected statutory basic wage figures, not estimates of the pay needed to attract applicants.

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.