37,985 foreign workers in Mauritius, New Labour Dynamics in Progress

As of September 7, 2023, there were 37,985 foreign workers contributing to various sectors in Mauritius, including manufacturing, construction, and baking, according to Visham Cyparsad, Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Labour.

Cyparsad highlighted the introduction of an online system to streamline work permit issuance.

Sectors such as textiles, agriculture, baking, and construction have a strong demand for foreign labour, he argued.

A Recruitment of Workers Bill aimed at regulating foreign workers was recently introduced in the National Assembly.

Experts emphasise the need for upskilling the local workforce to boost productivity, highlighting that foreign labour brings skill enhancement rather than just cheap labour.

Foreign labour was described as costlier due to additional expenses but with enhanced performance, especially in the construction industry.

Source: Defi Media