Cunden Rengassamy
Mauritius has been in lockdown as from 20 March 2020 and the government has put forward the following measures:
- Wage Assistance Scheme to employers for full payment of their monthly basic wages for employees earning not more than MUR 50,000, subject to a cap of MUR 25,000 per employee.
- A Self -Employed Assistance Scheme to those engaged in the informal sector of an amount of MUR 5,100 per month.
- The beneficiaries of the above Assistance Schemes are, however, subject to their reimbursement on the basis of lower of a levy of 15% on their taxable income of the forthcoming financial year or the amount received under the relevant schemes.
- Any penalty and interest on unpaid utility bills have been waived till June 2020.
- No penalty and interest on tax and returns due to the Tax Authority.
- Working Capital Loan up to MUR 500,000 to SME sector at an annual interest rate of 1.5% over a period of 24 months inclusive of 6 months moratorium.
- Set-up of a COVID -19 Solidarity Fund and that any contribution to this fund will be tax deductible.
- Removal of VAT on Masks and Hand Sanitizers.
- Filing of financial statements of companies with the Registrar has been extended to 3 months of the normal due date.
- Any unpaid rent for the months of March 2020- August 2020 shall not be subject to any court action provided the rents for these months are settled in instalments by 31 December 2021.
- During a period of 18 months following the expiry of the COVID-19 an employer may withhold up to 15 days eligible annual leave for a worker unless he/she has performed work during the lockdown.
- Any justified redundancy will only require a compensation of 30 days’ pay to the workers.
XLNC ARCHIVE | 26 May 2020