The moratorium, which came into effect yesterday and is expected to last up to April 2019, will prevent local employers from sourcing their employees from Bangladesh.

The moratorium also applies to prospective Bangladeshi investors, traders and business persons.

This announcement was made yesterday by the principal secretary for employment Jules Baker and principal secretary for immigration and civil status Alain Volcère.

Although there will be no new recruitments of Bangladeshi for the next six months, PS Volcère explained that the moratorium will not affect Bangladeshi currently working in Seychelles.

“We will be able to extend and renew their GOP (Gainful Occupation Permit) provided that their working conditions are in order,” PS Volcère stated.

It is to be noted that there are at present around 1724 Bangladeshis working in the country in various sectors such as security firms, agriculture and construction.

He further added that the moratorium will have no impact on the recruitments that are currently in the pipeline.

On his side, PS Baker explained that the moratorium is the direct result of various issues and challenges the ministry are facing in regards to Bangladeshi workers.

“This moratorium is due to the fact that we have recognised certain challenges being faced locally when it comes to recruitment. There a lot of Bangladeshis being recruited without proper control; they are unskilled, unqualified or do not meet the requirements,” PS Baker provided.

According to PS Baker, the moratorium’s objective is to ensure that proper procedures are put in place to control how Bangladeshi workers are recruited and formalise their working conditions.

To achieve this, the ministry has drafted a bilateral agreement that will be brought to the Bangladeshi government for its consideration during the six-month period.

Compliments of Seychelles NATION.