The Minister for Employment, Immigration and Civil Status, Mrs Myriam Telemaque is heading a tripartite delegation from Seychelles at the 107th session of the International Labour Conference, organized by the International Labour Organization in Geneva, Switzerland from 28th May to 8th June 2018.

At the Conference on Tuesday 5th June, Minister Telemaque delivered her speech and focused her interventions on this year's report of the ILO Director General, Mr Guy Ryder entitled "The women at work initiative: The push for equality."

Minister Telemaque stated that gender equality has implications on the labour market and the economy. The Minister emphasized that "addressing gender equality at work should start from education, skills development and empowerment programmes that need to be equally promoted and facilitated for both men and women. In doing so, this can contribute in reducing discrimination in employment towards females' access to jobs and higher wages." The Minister explained that employment-family policies should create flexible working arrangements, child care and support to parents and pathways to resume education after having children. "We need to seek for changes in culture and attitude of men so that they appreciate gender equality issues," added Minister Telemaque.

The Minister explained the recent increase in maternity and paternity leave in Seychelles which are amongst various initiatives taken by the country to address gender equality thus enable both parents to participate in early childhood care. The Ministry's strategies and programmes will also address ongoing challenges regarding gender equality.

During the Conference, Minister Telemaque will be meeting with the Deputy Director General for Field Operations & Partnerships, Mr Moussa Oumarou and the Assistant Director General and Regional Director for Africa, Ms Cinthia Samuel-Olunjuwon.

The other members of the Seychelles delegation attending the ILO Conference are Mr Jules Baker, Principal Secretary for Employment, Ms Veronique Bresson, Special Advisor, Ms Susan Morel, Technical Advisor. The most representative workers' and employers' organizations as advised by the Registrar of Trade Unions are the Seychelles Federation of Workers' Union represented by Mr Antoine Robinson, Secretary General and the Association of Seychelles Employers represented by Mr Felix Charles.