The Ministry of Employment, Immigration and Civil Status announced on Friday 31^st July 2020 that the GOP of all non-Seychellois workers currently stuck overseas as a result of COVID-19 is being revoked with immediate effect.  The decision came as a result of a recent assessment made on the labour market whereby it was found that the number of Seychellois without a job was increasing as the situation of the pandemic continues to persist, whereas openings with organisations for those same Seychellois workers to be able to secure another employment were not forthcoming. 

The decision taken by the Ministry has caused the GOP Framework to be reviewed whereby now employers will require the Minister’s approval before they can return their non-Seychellois employees, which at the time of the announcement had a valid GOP, to the country to work.  Permission to return will be considered if the demand meets certain criteria set that includes whether the skills are available on the labour market, the activity is for a project or services that is of national priority.

The raison d’etre for the review was made public through a Press Conference held by the Ministry with the media on Monday 3^rd August 2020 and explained to the private sector as well as workers’ representative the same day at a meeting chaired by Minister Telemaque.  Present for the meeting were:   Mr. Oliver Bastienne representing SCCI, Mr. Jose St Ange representing SHTA, Mrs. Tina Hoareau and Mr. Pierre Quatre representing Union of Employers (GETUS) and Mr. Antoine Robinson representing Workers’ Union (SFWU).

A Committee has also been set up to assist the Minister to assess the merit of the request based on the set criteria’s.

The Committee, named the GOP Assessment Committee held its first meeting on Tuesday 4^th August 2020 that was preceded by a short introduction by the Principal Secretary for Employment Mr. Jules Baker who went over the Terms of Reference (ToR) with the members.   The Committee has a Chairperson and the other members are representatives of:-. 

Employment Department

Immigration and Civil Status Department,

Seychelles Employee Transition Scheme (Sets),

Seychelles Federation of Workers Union (SFWU)

General Employer of Trade Union of Seychelles (GETUS) and

Association of Seychelles Employers

The term of office of the Committee is until 31^st December 2020 and may be extended if required.

The Committee will meet twice a week, every Tuesday and Thursday and after each meeting communicate its recommendation on the applications to the Minister, who will in turn convey her decision to the employer in writing. Where required, the Committee will increase the frequency of meetings to ensure clients are given a feedback in the shortest possible time.

The Ministry re-affirms its commitment to continue to work together with key partners of the economy for the benefit of both employers and workers.  In this critical time it is important that our people feel that they are being valued and given all opportunities available to limit the effect of the pandemic on their livelihood.

Accompanied pictures: Meeting with Private Sector