The average monthly income of Mauritians is rising. According to figures published yesterday by the Mauritius Employers’ Federation in its annual report, the average monthly income has increased from Rs16,883 to Rs18,247.
The MEF also said that exports were on the rise last year compared to 2009. “In the aftermath of the global crisis, the outward- oriented sectors were affected by weak external demand. With recovery in our main markets in Europe underway, the performances of the main pillars of the economy during 2010 have been satisfactory and should be cause for some cautious optimism,” says the MEF.
The average monthly income over the past 10 years has more than doubled. In 2001, the average monthly income was Rs8,178; in 2005, it was Rs12,061.
The average monthly salary in the agricultural sector during the past 10 years has increased from Rs6,602 to Rs13,841. In the manufacturing sector, the MEF figures show that the average monthly wage has increased from Rs5,544 to Rs10,810. For the Public administration and defence sector, the figure has gone from Rs10,146 to Rs22,078.
The MEF annual report also shows that the net employment creation for the year 2010 amounted to 12,900. “This represents a significant improvement from the previous year which registered an increase of 2,800 in total employment”, it says.
Employment in large establishments (more than 10 employees) has also increased by 4,600 to hit 310,600 compared to a decline of 5,600 in 2009.
According to the MEF, employment increases registered in service sectors like health and social work, financial and business services, education, hotels and restaurants as well as wholesale and retail trade and construction outweighed declines in manufacturing and agriculture.
“More than 44% of total employment is outside large establishments, where the rate of employment creation is more than twice that of large enterprises and stood at 248,100,” says the annual report.
By Nilen Kattany