Mauritius Civil Servants to Get 26-Week Paid Maternity Leave from 2027
Mauritius will extend full-pay maternity leave to 26 weeks for public sector workers from January 2027, with menstrual leave also on the way.
Mauritius is set to significantly expand maternity rights for civil servants, with 26 weeks of maternity leave at full pay coming into force on 1 January 2027. The announcement was made by minister Raj Pentiah and marks one of the most substantial upgrades to public sector working conditions in recent years.
Under the new framework, the total maternity leave entitlement will stretch to one full year. The initial 26 weeks will be paid at full salary, while the remaining period will be covered at half pay. This structure is designed to give new mothers both financial support during the critical early months and the flexibility to extend their time away from work if needed.
The public sector in Mauritius, known locally as the fonction publique, employs tens of thousands of workers across government ministries, departments and state institutions. Any change to their leave entitlements is set by the Pay Research Bureau, the body that periodically reviews conditions of service for civil servants, and implemented through government policy.
Minister Pentiah also announced that menstrual leave will soon be introduced for public sector employees, though no start date has been confirmed yet. The move would place Mauritius among a small but growing number of countries and territories that formally recognise menstrual health as a workplace issue. Details on how the leave will work in practice, including how many days per month would be granted, have not yet been disclosed.
In addition to these two measures, the minister indicated that a broader revision of civil service conditions is under way, though specifics were not provided in the announcement.
What this means: For the tens of thousands of women employed in the Mauritian public sector, the 2027 reform represents a meaningful step forward. The current maternity leave entitlement in the civil service is shorter and less generous, so moving to 26 weeks at full pay brings Mauritius closer to international standards recommended by the International Labour Organization, which suggests a minimum of 14 weeks. The addition of a half-pay period up to one year gives families greater choice. The forthcoming menstrual leave policy, once finalised, could also set a precedent that influences private sector discussions. Employers and HR managers in Mauritius will want to monitor how the government structures these entitlements, as private sector pressure to align may follow. Workers in the private sector, however, are governed by separate labour laws and are not automatically covered by these changes.
Source: Le Defi Media
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the 26-week maternity leave start for Mauritius civil servants?β
The 26-week full-pay maternity leave for Mauritius public sector employees is scheduled to come into effect on 1 January 2027. The total entitlement will be up to one year, with the remaining period after 26 weeks paid at half salary.
Does the new maternity leave apply to private sector workers in Mauritius?β
No. These changes apply specifically to the Mauritian civil service, known as the fonction publique. Private sector employees are covered by separate labour legislation and are not automatically entitled to the same benefits.
What is menstrual leave and is it being introduced in Mauritius?β
Menstrual leave is paid or unpaid time off work for employees experiencing significant menstrual discomfort. Minister Raj Pentiah announced that menstrual leave will be introduced in the Mauritius public sector, though the exact number of days and start date have not yet been confirmed.
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