COMMUNIQUE

COVID-19 SELF–EMPLOYED ASSISTANCE SCHEME

The Government of the Republic of Mauritius has decided to implement a Self-Employed Assistance Scheme (SEAS) through the Mauritius Revenue Authority (MRA) to assist self-employed persons who have suffered a loss of revenue as a consequence of the lockdown in the fight against Covid-19.

1. A self-employed individual who is in business, or a tradesperson operating in the informal sector, e.g. a mason, a cabinet maker, a plumber, a hairdresser and an artist is entitled to join the assistance scheme provided he is a Mauritian national above 18 years of age and who has been in business for the last 3 months.

    

2. The following individuals are NOT eligible to the assistance:
   1. an individual who is an employee, whether full-time or part-time;
   2. a person who is eligible to receive basic retirement pension;
   3. an individual who receives monthly social benefits;
   4. an individual pursuing higher studies on a full time basis;
   5. a person who is a dependent spouse;
   6. a person who was unemployed at the beginning of March 2020;
   7. an individual who forms part of a household having total monthly income (including passive income, e.g rent, dividends, interests or profits) exceeding Rs. 50,000;
   8. an individual who is in a business where he earns only passive income, e.g rent; or
   9. a fisherman.

    

3. Eligible self-employed individuals and tradespersons will receive a financial support of Rs 5,100 each for the period 16 March 2020 to 15 April 2020. They must submit their applications online on MRA’s website: www.mra.mu All payments will be credited to their respective bank accounts.

    

4. For any further information or assistance under the scheme, the MRA may be reached by email on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by calling on 207 6000.

31 March 2020