Empirical research shows that the 24/7 culture has strong potential to lead to a spectrum of benefits for employers, employees and society at large.

In a nutshell, the 24/7 initiative is being launched in Mauritius with a view to:

• improve the international competitiveness of the productive sectors of the economy, thereby promoting economic development;

• give access to goods and services on a 24-hour basis including public transport;

• increase leisure activities and entertainment facilities offered after office hours and ability to do late night shopping;

• allow employees to achieve better work-life balance through flexible work practices;

• enhance productivity at the work place;

• provide more choices as well as employment opportunities, including for those who wish to be involved in various types of jobs and activities (for instance, disabled people and women can take up jobs as per their convenience);

• reduce skills shortage;

• reduce traffic congestion and demand for public transport and bus-service at peak hours (since all officers do not need to resume duty at the same time in the morning);

• lessen stress level of employees to reach office at peak hours in the morning;

• allow Mauritius to be part of global supply chain networks;

• encourage the widespread use of information and communications technologies (ICT) to foster innovation in the way we work;

• encourage the development of clusters so as to enhance service delivery;

• create an effective entrepreneurial environment that, in turn, will nurture the development of SMEs;

• reduce break-ins and other crimes since there would be more "eyes on the street" round the clock; and above all,

• widen the circle of opportunities for all.