Mauritius

It is believed that Mauritius was discovered by Portuguese travellers in the 16th century. After that, it was controlled by the Dutch, then the French and finally the British. In 1835, indentured labourers were taken to the island nation. It wasn’t until 1968 that Mauritius gained independence from Britain and in 1992 it became a republic.

When Mauritius gained independence on March 12, 1968, it became a constitutional monarchy with the British Monarch as the head of the country. However, in 1992, it became a Parliamentary Republic.

English is the official language of Mauritius. However, a majority of people speak Creole ‘patois’, French interspersed with ‘creolized’ English, Hindi (Bhojpuri) and Arabic. Apart from Hindi and Bhojpuri, the Indo-Mauritians also speak Tamil, Telugu, Urdu, Marathi, Gujrati, Konkani and Cutchee.

The official currency of Mauritius is Mauritian Rupees (MUR).

At 48%, Hindus make up the largest part of Mauritian society, followed by Christians and Muslims who make up 32% and 17.5% of it respectively. 0.5% of the population are Buddhists and 1.03% follow other religions.

The Republic of Mauritius is a group of islands namely Mauritius, Rodrigues, Agalega and Cargados Carajos (St Brandon). It lies 335 km from the east coast of Madagascar, with Africa being its closest continent.

The mainland is a volcanic island and covers 88% of the total land area. The Mauritian coastline stretches 332 km and is adorned by beautiful coral reefs.

The time difference between India and Mauritius is 1h 30mins, with India being ahead.

This island nation experiences a sub-tropical climate with hot and humid summers (November to May) having an average temperature of 27°C and a mild to cold winters (June to October) with an average temperature of 22°C. February is the warmest month while July is the coldest.

It experiences heavy rainfall from January to May, with lighter rain showers between September to November.

Being an island nation, the country is frequently hit by tropical cyclones that originate in the southern Indian Ocean during November to March. Cyclones can cause widespread damage. That’s why its extremely important to know how to handle cyclones.

How to handle cyclones

• In case of a cyclone, four warning classes can be issued. For a class 3, colleges and offices are closed and the public is advised to stay indoors. However, in case of a class 4 warning, all activities come to a stop.

• Cyclones can disrupt water and electricity supply so it’s important to ensure that you have enough supply of water, candles, emergency lights and batteries that would last you a few days.

• Also, since everything is shut during the cyclone (and for a few days after it), ensure that you also store enough food.

Average Monthly Expenses in Mauritius

Clothing

Western-style clothing is what most Mauritians wear in their day-to-day life.

Traditionally, Indo-Mauritian men wear dhoti kurta, while women go for a sari combined with bright jewelry.

Some Muslim women wear head scarf and a minority go for a burqa.

Overall, while most Mauritians like to wear western-style clothing, tight and revealing clothes are frowned upon in towns and villages. Also, when visiting a place of worship, wear an appropriate dress.

When it comes to dressing according to the weather, May to October are a little cooler and you may want to carry a light jacket or cardigan for the evenings.

Food

The Mauritian cuisine offers a variety of South Asian, African, Chinese and European cooking styles that often incorporate local ingredients. Here’s some important facts to know about Mauritian cuisine.

• White rice is the staple food of this island nation. It can be eaten as boiled, fried or spiced.

• Apart from white rice, Chinese noodles (minn) and curry made with meat, fish, seafood, and vegetables, stew, or casserole are also an everyday dish.

• You’ll also find biryani, naans, rotis, and faratas.

• As for fruits, you’ll find a diversity of tropical fruits like mango, longane (like lychee), coconut, guavas, pineapples, papayas, and bananas.

• When it comes to street food, you’ll find dal poori, gato piman (similar to dal pakoda) samosa, Chinese soup, dumplings, and noodles.

Transportation

The most common ways of public transportation are buses and metro express.

• Bus: You have to options when travelling from a bus – express and regular. The express service is faster, but a little more expensive and less frequent than the regular service.

• Metro express: Metro, running through the city, provides a safe, reliable and rapid transportation service.

city, provides a safe, reliable and rapid transportation service.

Indian Community in Mauritius

Mauritius boasts a strong Indian influence. Roughly two-thirds of the population is descendants of Indian indentured laborers who came to work in the sugarcane plantations. This influence extends to politics, with the current Prime Minister being Indo-Mauritian. A vibrant Indian community also exists, with approximately 22,000 Indian nationals contributing to the textile industry. Culturally, the island reflects this rich heritage with Hindu temples, Tamil traditions, and Marathi associations. Language unions further solidify these ties, offering opportunities to connect with speakers of Hindi, Tamil, and other Indian languages.

Indian diaspora communities and groups

There are a range of diaspora groups and organizations to indulge with during celebrations and a

ctivities. Apart from that, you can also join Facebook groups like Expat Mauritius: Home Away from Home, where members connect on shared interests.

Let’s discover a few organizations to know about.

Indira Gandhi Centre for Indian Culture

The Indira Gandhi Centre for Indian Culture (IGCIC) regularly organizes cultural programmes and workshops during special days like Independence Day and Republic Day of India, Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad Day, Gandhi Jayanthi, Convocation Day of the Centre, Hindi Diwas, Foundation Day/Orientation Day etc.

They also have cine club that often screens popular Indian films once every month.

It also offers a great community for Hindi literature enthusiasts through its Sahitya Sangoshthi where they invite an eminent speaker every month to speak on subjects related to ‘sahitya.’

You can contact them via:

Tel: (+230) 6973437

(+230) 6987338

Fax: (+230) 6972925

Email: igcic.portlouis@mea.gov.in, dirigcic.portlouis@mea.gov.in

Restrictions

• Smoking is banned in enclosed public spaces such as cafes, restaurants, bars, and night clubs, etc.

• Mauritius is a slightly conservative country when it comes to public display of affection. So, avoid any overt displays of it in public like holding hands or kissing.

• While homosexuality is not criminalised in Mauritius, sodomy is illegal. Hence, you should refrain from engaging in such activities to avoid legal actions.

The Government of the Republic of India and the Government of the Republic of Mauritius share a long-standing relationship for the past several decades. Culture, history, and strong economic ties have nurtured this relationship.

Thinking about moving to Mauritius for work opportunities? Here are a few things to consider.

Costs of working in mauritius

• You will need to pay the recruiter fee, cost of obtaining a passport, visa, emigration clearance, insurance and airfare (should be ideally covered by the employer).

• The social costs of moving away from your elderly parents, spouse and community.

• The health costs of physical and mental discomfort that might come from adjusting in a new environment.

Benefits of working in mauritius

Following are the benefits of moving to Mauritius:

• You get the benefit of higher wages with a higher currency exchange value.

• You will get to experience a new country, different culture, local cuisine, and build international connections.

• It will also provide you and your family a lifestyle upgrade with higher wages.

Financial considerations before moving to Mauritius

After carefully analyzing the costs and benefits of moving to Mauritius, next come financial considerations. Here’s a brief look at the financial aspects to consider before your big move.

• Ensure you pay any debt before migrating.

• For every Mauritian dollar, you’ll have to pay two Indian Rupees, so ensure you plan your finances according to that.

• Mauritius is slightly more expensive than India when it comes to cost of living.

• Before migrating to Mauritius, make sure that you get insured for the same.

• Your success in Mauritius also depends on how well you manage your money. Get a basic understanding of budgeting, saving and investing before moving to Mauritius.

• Before you migrate to another country, make sure that you have at least three months of living expenses saved up.

Finding work opportunities in Mauritius

You can find work opportunities in Mauritius through two credible ways.

1. The National Skill Development Corporation International Portal helps you register yourself and explore reliable job opportunities in Mauritius and other countries.

2. You can also go for an Indian Recruitment Agency (IRA). They connect job seekers to job providers and will also help you obtain relevant documents required for your big move.

How to ensure credibility of an ira

To avoid any fraudulent incidents, check for the license of an Indian Recruiting Agent. You can check if your IRA is licensed or not on the official website of Ministry of External Affairs (https://www.mea.gov.in/ras.htm).

Apart from this, here are a few different methods to identify a registered RA.

• Registered agents will have their Registration Certificate (RC) issued by the Protector General of Emigrants (PGE) prominently displayed at a noticeable place in their office premises. Such RC must be valid and have not expired.

• If the recruiting agent is authorized to carry on business at additional premises, an attested copy of the registration certificate with an endorsement by the registering authority will be displayed at noticeable place in the business premises of such Branch Office.

• Registered agents are not allowed to employ sub-agents. Be sure to not deal with such sub-agents.

• A registered RA will have office premises of at least 50 square meters of built-up area with necessary amenities, such as a waiting hall, interview room, and internet facility. Unregistered RAs may operate from inadequate or questionable office premises, lacking essential amenities.

• Registered RAs will have a noticeable signboard displayed in front of the business premises or indicating the name and the registration number of the Recruiting Agent and the year of registration.

• Registered recruiting agencies may charge up to Rs20,000 in fees from migrant workers requiring an Emigration Clearance. If the agency tries to charge you more than Rs20,000, you can submit a complaint on the e-Migrate or MADAD portal.

Responsibilities of recruiting agents (Ministry of External Affairs, 2022)

• RA should issue a receipt for the payments received from you.

• It must provide details of employment, including contract conditions, to you before recruitment.

• It must ensure your proper reception by the employer upon arrival in Mauritius.

• It must ensure that after the employment, the employer shall not alter the terms of the employment contract.

• It must ensure that the employer observes the terms and conditions of the Employment Contract.

• It must ensure that the employer takes timely action for renewal of documents authorizing your stay in the country of employment.

• It must ensure facilitate amicable settlement of disputes between you and the employer.

Complaints against RAs

In case you experience overcharging or cheating, you can lodge a complaint to the Protector General of Emigrants (PGE) at pge@mea.gov.in.

Good quality of life and lucrative work opportunities make Mauritius the penultimate destination for job seekers. Here are few basic requirements for working in Mauritius.

• You must be between 20 to 60 years of age to work in Mauritius.

• You must possess a valid passport with a minimum validity of six months from the date of departure. You can apply for a passport on the official Passport Seva website (https://www.passportindia.gov.in/AppOnlineProject/welcomeLink#). Please not that obtaining a passport can take up to a few months, so ensure that you apply in advance.

• Your recent passport-sized photos in colour.

• Valid academic and professional qualification certifications.

• Details and proof of prior work experience.

• While there aren’t any official requirements for language, your employer may require you to either be proficient in English or French.

• Ensure that you get a comprehensive and detailed job description from your employer so that you know exactly what your role requires you to be prepared for.

• The Employment Contract signed by the applicant and approved by the employer.

• Health certificate issued by the Ministry of Health and Quality of Life in Mauritius.

• Work Permit and Residence Permit that will allow the worker to work and reside in the country for a specific duration. Once you land in Mauritius, you will be required to show you work and residence permits and will not be allowed to enter the country in its absence. Your employer is responsible for arranging your work and residence permit so ensure that you confirm these details before making any travel to the country.

• You can return to India after the completion of your employment term in Mauritius. Your employer is responsible for paying your return airfare from Mauritius to the International Airport nearest to your home in India.

• If you are abused or exploited by your employer during the term of your employment, you can raise a complaint against your employer with the concerned Mauritian Authorities and Indian Mission in Mauritius. You can request to be repatriated to India.

• If you wish to come to India before the completion of your employment term, you will have to bear the return airfare expenses on your own.

• There is no provision of voting by post or voting at an Indian Mission abroad for Indian citizens living in abroad. There is no provision of online voting.

• You can register as an Overseas/NRI voter by submitting Form 6A available on the Election Commission of India website (https://eci.gov.in/voter/overseas-electors/). You should be a citizen of India, absent from the country owing to employment and have not acquired citizenship of any other country and are otherwise eligible to be registered as a voter in the address mentioned in your passport.

• An overseas elector is not issued an EPIC.

• You will be allowed to vote in person at the polling station on production of your original passport.

Migrant workers in Mauritius enjoy the same rights as Mauritian nationals when it comes to working relations and conditions. Here are a few things to know about the same:

a) Remuneration

• Mauritus follows a minimum wage system. Currently, it’s eight thousand one hundred and forty Mauritian Rupees per month (₹8,140) for export oriented enterprises and eight thousand and five hundred Mauritian Rupees per month (₹8,500) for non-export oriented enterprises.

• The employer will provide you with a payslip that clearly specifies your revenues and expenses.

• In case you’re working over the specified hours, you are entitled to an overtime pay.

• Uniform, safety equipment and tools are provided by the employer and should not be deducted from your pay. Your employer must not deny the basic safety and health precautions as per the Occupational and Health Safety Act 2005.

• You have the right to enjoy your leave as per your contract of employment and in compliance with the Labour Laws of Mauritius

b) Food, lodging and transport

• Your employer must provide you with an accommodation with a valid Lodging Accommodation Permit.

• You must get a separate bed with mattress.

• As per Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 2011, you are entitled to reliable water supply, clean and hygienic bathrooms, a locker for personal belongings, cooking facilities and utensils, freezers and refrigerators, furniture, and first aid facilities.

• It is your employers responsibility to provide travelling facilities or refund your travelling expenses.

• In case of overtime, your employer should provide you with a free meal or meal allowance of MUR 70.

c) Health and safety

• You are entitled to safe and healthy working conditions and must be informed of the safety and health standards at your workplace.

• Medical treatment is free in Public Health Institutions in Mauritius. It is your employers responsibility that you’re taken to a public hospital, at their cost, in case of work injury.

• You must be provided with protective equipment and clothing in case of risks of bodily injury.

d) Training

• You must be provided with appropriate training and information about the materials and tools you’re handling.

• The training must be provided in a language that you understand.

e) Discrimination

• You enjoy the same civil rights as a Mauritian national in the country.

• As per the Employment Rights Act, you are entitled to the same remuneration as any other Mauritian worker.

• The Equal Opportunities Act (EOA) prohibits discrimination based on status of a person and this includes age, creed, caste, sex, sexual orientation, race, place of origin and ethnicity, colour, or impairment.

f) Union

You are free to become a member of a trade union at your workplace as long as you’re participating in lawful activities.

Just as you are entitled to the same rights as citizens of Mauritius, you also have the same responsibilities as a citizen of Mauritius. The following are the responsibilities of migrants:

• Follow the laws of the country and make sure to not indulge in any illegal activity such as gambling, prostitution, organs trade etc.

• Homosexuality is not criminalised in the country, but sodomy is illegal. Do not indulge in any such activities to avoid imprisonment.

• As an Indian migrant worker working in Mauritius, you are not allowed to take part in any political activities or activities connected with political organisations in Mauritius.

• If a worker is found, by the relevant authority, too be responsible for creating social problems or engaging in any illegal, subversive, or criminal activities, the Employer shall be informed accordingly, and the Worker shall be dismissed from the job and shall be repatriated to India at his own expense.

• Comply with the provisions laid out in your employment contract in terms of working hours, days etc. In case of non-compliance, your employer has the authority to terminate the contract.

• The employment contract can be extended upon the agreement of the employer and the worker. You’re not allowed to take up additional work or change employment during the duration of an existing contract.

Every employer and employee, aged between 18 and retirement age, contribute 2.5% and 1% respectively of the basic wage towards the National Savings Fund (NSF) each month. Migrant workers begin their NSF contributions from their first day of employment, except those in manufacturing enterprises who start after 2 years of residence in Mauritius. Upon completion of their employment contract and return to India, migrant workers receive their NSF contributions as a lump sum refund.

Getting a refund of contributions

You must have worked in Mauritius for at least six month and should be under the age of 60 to be eligible for a refund.

To apply for a refund, download the application form from https://socialsecurity.govmu.org/Pages/viewallbudgetspeech.aspx. Submit the application at the nearest Social Security office at least one and a half month before departure from Mauritius.

You will need to submit the following documents with your application:

• Passport (original + 1 photocopy)

• Your Employment Documents: Work Permit, Employment Contract, Payslips, and any other (original + 1 photocopy)

• Evidence of Bank Account Number (original + 1 photocopy)

• In case of death of the foreign worker, an affidavit together with all civil status documents (original + photocopy) of heirs mentioned therein.

• The original documents will be returned to you after verification.

In case of distress, migrants have a plethora of options to solve an issue. Here are a few routes you can take:

1. Contact Indian Missions or Posts

In case of distress, you can reach out to the High Commission of India, Port Louis. Here are the contact details for the same:

The High Commission also hosts an Open House, the details for which can be found on https://hcimauritius.gov.in/.

You can reach out to the High Commission if you find yourself:

• In dispute with your foreign employer regarding mistreatment, breaking the terms of your contract, or if your legal rights are not being fulfilled.

• Dealing with the death of a dependent family member or arranging the transportation of the mortal remains of a deceases person.

• Trying to solve personal issues (like marital disputes) back home. The High Commission may also speak to your family, if required.

• In jail for any act of crime, the HC will make efforts towards your release, provide interpreter services in labour courts, and visit you in the prison to ensure your wellbeing.

• Contact the ICWF on your behalf.

2. Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF)

• An Indian Worker in distress can seek assistance under ICWF from the High Commission of India, Port Louis.

• Under the ICWF, you can receive initial legal assistance in deserving cases. There are lawyers empaneled by the mission/post to represent Indian nationals in court. You can obtain a list from the Indian Mission/Post when in need.

• Indian workers who have been cheated by intermediaries in the host countries, runaway domestic workers, those who become victims of accidents, deserted spouses of Indian migrants, undocumented Indian migrant workers in need of emergency assistance or any other overseas Indian citizens who are in distress can seek assistance under the fund.

• The Indian Community Welfare Fund (lCWF) is aimed at providing the following services on a means tested basis in the most deserving cases:

a) Boarding and lodging for distressed Overseas Indian workers in the household/domestic sectors and unskilled labourers.

b) Extending emergency medical care to the Overseas Indians in need.

c) Providing air passage to stranded Overseas Indians in need.

d) Providing initial legal assistance to the Overseas Indians in deserving cases.

e) Expenditure on incidentals and for airlifting the mortal remains to India or local cremation burial of the deceased Overseas Indians in such cases where the sponsor is unable or unwilling to do so as per the contract and the family is unable to meet the cost.

f) Payment of penalties in respect of Indian nationals for illegal stay in the host country where prima facie the worker is not at fault.

g) Providing the payment of small fines/penalties for the release of Indian nationals in jails/detention center.

h) Providing support to local Overseas Indian Associations to establish Overseas Indian Community Centers in countries that have population of Overseas Indians exceeding 1,00,000.

• Providing support to start and run Overseas Indian Community based student welfare centers in Countries that have more than 20,000 Indian students.

3. MADAD Portal

• You can login to the MADAD portal to register your grievances and seek redressal.

• It seeks to address grievances on issues related to workers abuse, sexual abuse, recruiting agents, sponsorship and contract issues, repatriation of Indian nationals, tracing whereabouts of Indian nationals, death/injury compensation, transportation of mortal remains of deceased Indian nationals, marital dispute issues and other issues.

• You or your family member can directly register your grievances on the portal (madad@gov.in). Once the complaint is lodged, it is automatically transferred to the concerned Mission/Post and status of its redressal is reflected on track grievance page. The mobile number registered on the Portal gets an SMS-based response as and when the status changes.

• You will need a passport number to submit and track the grievance till it is resolved.

• A mobile App for MADAD has been launched. You can download the app from the play store on Android devices and the app store on Apple devices.

• The portal also has an associated call center to help illiterate grievant.

• Keep track of your payments, leaves, reimbursements, savings, and expenses.

• Ask your employer to deposit your salary into your bank account for safety, earning interest, and easy remittance transfers to your family.

• Create a plan for savings, expenses, emergency fund, insurance, and family transfers to manage money efficiently and save for the future.

• Learn about safe investment options to earn a small income on the money you have saved.

• Avoid falling in debt. Only borrow money if necessary.

• Do not sign any blank papers, as they can be used to defraud or put you in trouble. Also, only put your signature on a document if you properly understand what it means.

• Keep a copy of your documents in a safe place, which can only be accessed by you.

• You should not stay illegally in Mauritius after the expiry of your Visa or Permit. You will be liable to a fine not exceeding Rs1,000 and to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year.

• You should not work for another employer other than the one listed in the work permit.

• You should not continue to work after your permit has expired. The Penalty for working illegally, that is, without a work permit is a fine of more than 25,000 rupees up to 50,000 rupees and imprisonment for a term of 2 years.

• Acts of corruption and bribery are unlawful. You should not engage in such activities.

Moving to a new country opens a lot of exciting opportunities for you. However, it is also important to be prepared for the challenges you might face.

Here are the things you should be prepared for when moving to Mauritius.

• Beware of potential issues like long hours, poor conditions, low pay, and lack of benefits or safe living quarters, which are especially common for women domestic workers.

• Employers may illegally confiscate your passport to restrict movement, even in bad working conditions. Feel free to reach out to the Ministry of Labour; Industrial Relations, Employment & Training (MLIRET) during office hours from 08:45 AM to 04:00 PM. The address of MLIRET is:

Victoria House, ST Louis Street, Port Louis, Mauritius

The contact details of the regional/sub-offices are as follows:

• Sending money through informal channels can be risky and lead to scams.

• Some locals may view migrant workers as competition, leading to potential tension.

• Women migrants, particularly in domestic work, may face sexual harassment. In case you are a victim of sexual harassment or exploitation, you may contact the Police on 999 or 148 or the Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations, Employment and Training.

• Migrants might find it difficult to find legal aid and navigate the legal process in a foreign country.

• You may have trouble communicating with the locals as they might not be fluent in the same languages as you.

• Discrimination based on race, religion, or culture is a potential issue (both from locals and employers).

• Migrant workers are vulnerable to trafficking, forced labour, and abuse. Such complaints should be immediately reported to the police.