Hiring a maid in Mauritius: a guide for expatriates

Hiring domestic help is a common practice among both expats and Mauritians, whether for cleaning, pool or garden maintenance, cooking, or childcare. Here's a step-by-step guide to hiring legally and managing the process properly.

Finding domestic help: through an agency or independently?

Specialised agencies can introduce you to several profiles and will handle all administrative formalities in exchange for a service fee. Below are some renowned agencies in Mauritius:‍

• Histia
www.histia-services.com • +230 204 1300

• Eco Bonheur
www.ecobonheur.mu • +230 5919 1623

• The Housekeepers
www.housekeepers.mu • +230 5955 6633

• Rent A Maid
www.rentamaid.mu • +230 5955 6633

• Superius Cleaning
www.superiuscleaning.com • +230 5812 1810

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If you prefer to recruit without an agency, ask neighbours and friends for recommendations or check notice boards in local shops.

This option saves on agency fees, but you will need to handle the paperwork for your employee's registration yourself, or ask an accountancy firm for assistance.

Hiring a domestic employee: how to register with the MRA

Whether full-time or part-time, your domestic employee must be registered with the Mauritius Revenue Authority (MRA), which collects  mandatory social contributions each month.

Beyond the legal obligation, registration establishes a transparent working relationship and ensures your employee benefits from essential social protections.

The process is simple and can be entirely online via the MRA website. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Draw up an employment contract: you can use the MRA template available here (see page 168 - Particulars of Work Agreement).
2. Register as an employer: if you don't already have a Business Registration Number (BRN), apply to obtain your Employer Registration Number (ERN) by submitting the Employer Registration Form (ERF) using the code PH (Private Household).
3. Register your employee: submit the Employee Declaration Form (EDF) on the MRA platform.
4. Declare & pay contributions: Each month, log in to your MRA online account or use the MRA Easy mobile app to declare the salary paid and automatically calculate and pay the social contributions (CSG, NSF & PRGF).

Housekeeper salaries and employment cost in Mauritius

Salaries vary depending on the employee's duties, working hours, region, experience... and your negotiation skills!

As of 31^st January 2025, the legal minimum wage for full-time domestic employees is Rs 17,110 per month for a 45-hour work week. For part-time employees, the minimum hourly rate is subject to a 10 % increase. Employers must also pay a 13th-month salary before 25 December each year.

If your employee lives more than 3 km from your home, you must either arrange transport or provide an allowance covering the cost of a round trip by bus or tram.

As an employer, you are also responsible for the following social contributions, calculated on the employee's gross salary:

• CSG (Contribution Sociale Généralisée, replaces the National Pensions Fund): 3 %
• NSF (National Savings Fund): 2.5 %
• PRGF (Portable Retirement Gratuity Fund): 4.5 %

For more information, visit the MRA website or contact an accountancy firm specialising in payroll and employment regulations for domestic workers in Mauritius.