Mauritius Eyes 40-Hour Work Week With New Feasibility Study

Mauritius could be moving closer to a shorter working week. The Ministry of Labour has launched a feasibility study to examine whether the country's standard work week can be reduced from 45 hours to 40 hours — a reform that would affect hundreds of thousands of workers across the island. **What Is Being Proposed?** Currently, the standard working week in Mauritius is set at 45 hours under the Employment Rights Act. The proposed change would bring Mauritius in line with international norms — the 40-hour week is the standard in most developed economies and is enshrined in International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions. The Ministry of Labour has not announced a timeline for implementation. Instead, it has commissioned a formal feasibility study, which will assess the economic, social, and operational impact of such a change before any legislative action is taken. **Why Does This Matter?** For workers, a reduction of five hours per week would represent a meaningful improvement in work-life balance — the equivalent of gaining roughly 260 extra hours per year. It could also reduce overtime costs for employees who currently work beyond the standard threshold. For employers — particularly in sectors like manufacturing, hospitality, and retail, which rely on extended shift patterns — the change could increase operating costs or require restructuring of rosters and staffing levels. Trade unions in Mauritius have long advocated for a 40-hour work week, arguing that the current 45-hour standard is out of step with modern labour practices and contributes to worker fatigue and reduced productivity. **What Happens Next?** The feasibility study will need to consult a range of stakeholders — including employer federations, trade unions, and sector-specific bodies — before any recommendations are made. If the study supports the reform, the government would then need to amend the Employment Rights Act, a process that requires parliamentary approval. No date has been set for the study's completion or publication. **What This Means** This is an early-stage policy signal, not an immediate change. Workers should not expect an overnight shift in their contracts or hours. However, the launch of a formal study shows the government is taking the proposal seriously. If adopted, the 40-hour work week would be one of the most significant changes to Mauritian labour law in years — reshaping daily life for workers across the public and private sectors. Source: Le Defi Media