On Friday 2^nd August 2013, the Minister for Labour and Human Resource Development, Ms Idith Alexander accompanied by the Minister for Tourism and Culture, Mr Alain St Ange and high officials from their Ministries conducted a visit to Denis Private Island.

The aim of Minister Alexander’s visit remains to enhance partnership while at the same time build a stronger working relationship with organizations in the private sector.

The Ministers and their delegation were greeted by the Managing Director, Mrs Kathy Mason and Mr Michael Mason who took them on a guided tour of the hotel and the facilities it offers. The Ministers had the opportunity to interact with the staff working at the hotel, where it was noted that a majority of them were Non-Seychellois. Of the nine Seychellois she spoke to, the general feedback received was positive with only three raising minor concerns.

This was brought up by Minister Alexander during the debriefing with the Management team who informed her that they will take these points into consideration and try to come up with feasible solutions to address them.

The hotel Management team on their part pointed out that they are having difficulty to recruit and retain Seychellois staff members. They also noted that they are experiencing high plane charter service fees which have meant that they have had to make changes in the way they operate.

On this note, the Minister commended the owners of the hotel for taking the initiative to become self sufficient in regards to rearing their own livestock, growing their own fruits and vegetables through innovative ways and producing their own ham and dairy produce.

The long serving local staff said that the attraction for them to work on an island is that it allows them to make savings. The Minister is therefore encouraging more people, especially the youths, to consider doing the same as in addition to the perfect opportunity of saving for their future, there are a number of benefits open to them such as working in a more tranquil atmosphere and being closer to nature. Mrs Mason assured the Minister that she is ready to work with the Ministry to come up with an attractive package for Seychellois to promote this initiative.

Mrs Mason thanked the Ministers and their officers for the visit and assured them that the points discussed would be taken on board.