Overview

A pilot project in Mauritius is helping organisations communicate labour regulations in a more engaging and accessible way. Building on earlier research that found low awareness of workers’ rights, the project introduced multilingual audiovisual content to bridge the information gap. Delivered in partnership with national bodies and trade unions, the initiative was piloted across four companies, including a marine biotechnology firm, to test its real-world impact on employees and managers.

The challenge

Many Mauritian workers and employers lacked clear, practical understanding of labour laws and health and safety responsibilities. Written materials alone were not reaching people effectively, especially in diverse workplaces with varying language needs. This created risks around compliance, workplace safety, and employee wellbeing, highlighting the need for a more engaging and inclusive approach to communication.

What we did

The project team co-produced seven short audiovisual resources in multiple languages, working closely with the National Productivity and Competitiveness Council (NPCC) and the Confédération des Travailleurs des Secteurs Public et Privé (CTSP). The videos were piloted in four organisations, where employees and managers viewed them over three months. Feedback sessions, including one attended by the minister of labour, showed strong support for the approach. The team then evaluated the impact through surveys and interviews, capturing both data and personal experiences.

Impact

The audiovisual approach proved to be a simple but powerful tool for change, prompting both awareness and action.

Key impacts include:

• Immediate improvements in safety practices, including PPE use;
• Improved understanding of labour rights and health and safety regulations among employees;
• Greater use of the resources in staff induction and training sessions;
• Identification of compliance gaps and workplace risks;
• Introduction of an additional risk assessment step to better protect maintenance teams;
• Strong interest from national stakeholders in scaling the approach across Mauritius.

The project is now moving towards wider rollout, including sharing case studies with government, employers, exploring non-commercial licensing opportunities, and expanding internationally.