ILO workshop pushes for decent work and economic growth
Recommendations from a two -day workshop will be proposed to the employment department to contribute towards the implementation of a national framework to help improve decent work and economic growth in Seychelles.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 8 national indicators framework workshop being held at the International Conference Centre was opened yesterday and is being hosted by the Ministry of Employment, Immigration and Civil Status (MEICS) and the International Labour Organization (ILO).
Dr Coffi Agossou, a senior ILO labour statistics specialist is the facilitator of the workshop, the objective of which is to assess the availability and reliability of data related to the SDGs labour market indicators under ILO standards.
Dr Agossou has been providing his technical expertise as part of the review of the labour market to the employment department and the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) since 2014.
The workshop was officially opened yesterday by the technical advisor of the employment department, Susan Morel who said the recommendations will address the data gaps between the requirement of SDG Goal 8 and statistics being collected by the national statistical information systems.
"The SDG Goal 8 hence presents an opportunity for us as a member state to assess progress made on the labour market and to assist policy makers in introducing the necessary measures to address development challenges, through the use of evidence-based data," Miss Morel said.
She said it will also guide the Employment Department to better align its data collection tools of its labour force surveys and employment statistics with international standards.
"Through the effectiveness of labour market policies, the success of Goal 8 will help to contribute towards the achievement of objectives in other SDG goals such as poverty reduction, gender equality among others," she said.
Dr Agossou said that during the two-day workshop, the stakeholders will be sensitised on SDG 8 national framework indicators and how to report and strengthen the technical capacity of the staff of the NBS, MEICS and other stakeholders who will be involved in this year's quarterly labour force survey (QLFS) data collection and SDG 8 report writing.
Representatives from the Ministry of Health, Seychelles Revenue Commission (SRC), Ministry of Finance, Trade and Economic Planning (MFTEP), Central Bank of Seychelles and trade unions are attending the workshop.
Related items
A half-day Infrastructure for Radiation Safety seminar for identified stakeholders took place on Monday.
Organised by the Ministry of Employment, Immigration and Civil Status in collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Commission (IAEA), the workshop was held in the conference room of the Independence House Annex, Victoria.
It falls under the follow-up mission under the new project Regulatory Infrastructure Development Project for Africa. It grouped representatives from relevant organisations, agencies, government departments involved in safety for workers and the public; in the protection of the environment; applications of radiation in medicine, industry and research; emergency preparedness and response; management of radioactive waste (including government policy making and the strategy for the implementation of policy); safety in relation to water use and the consumption of food; land use, planning and construction; safety in the transport of dangerous goods, including nuclear material and radioactive material; customs; agriculture ... just to name a few.
These topics were showcased in various presentations for example on the applications of nuclear and radiation technology: IAEA; the setting up of a regulatory infrastructure for radiation safety: IAEA and on the current status of the legal and regulatory framework for radiation safety in the Seychelles.
The seminar was facilitated by Ahmad Al Khatibelt, head of a delegation of a team from IAEA, who will be in the country until tomorrow. Local facilitator is Steve Monnaie, director general for Labour Relations.
Present were Myriam Thelemaque, Minister for Employment, Immigration and Civil Status and principal secretary for employment, Jules Baker.
Further to an advisory mission conducted in Seychelles in June 2012, the IAEA was conducting a follow up mission under the new project, the Regulatory Infrastructure Development Project (RIDP), with the aim of updating information on the current national regulatory Infrastructure for Radiation Safety in the Seychelles. It is also to agree with the relevant stakeholders on a work plan and assistance needed to achieve the pre-required safety infrastructure so that Seychelles will be in a position to fully utilise the various nuclear and radiation applications provided by the IAEA.
Seychelles being a small island state, climate change is about our survival as a nation and protecting the livelihood of our people.
The Minister for Employment, Entrepreneurship Development and Business Innovation Wallace Cosgrow said this while addressing the 106th session of the International Labour Conference which is being held in Geneva, Switzerland.
“With great interest I have considered the report of the International Labour Organisation’s (ILO) director-general on ‘Work in a changing climate: The Green Initiative’ in which insights are given notably in regards to the emerging challenges of climate change, decent work and the opportunities abound from renewable energy sources,” he said.
“I firmly believe that these insights are valuable and should be taken into account when framing our strategies to develop and implement green policies into national employment projects.”
Minister Cosgrow said this is a cause of concern for all of us, adding that in recent years, the government of Seychelles has actively defended this noble cause amongst the international community and this continued engagement has yielded national institutional reforms which have effectively delivered on initiatives to mitigate and adapt to climate change.
Seychelles is being represented at the conference by a five-member delegation headed by Minister Cosgrow.
The conference which is ILO’s highest decision-making body, started on June 5 and will run until June 16. It meets annually in June, bringing together the tripartite delegations from ILO’s 187 member states.
Other members of the delegation are the principal secretary for employment Jules Baker, the secretary general of the Seychelles Federation of Workers’ Union Antoine Robinson and representative of the Association of Seychelles’ Employers Felix Charles and the employment department’s senior cooperation officer Melissa Duffets.
Minister Cosgrow said as ministries of labour, today’s global environmental challenge presents the necessity to develop renewable energy businesses and create green jobs.
“Our labour force therefore needs to gradually move towards this green initiative. Re-skilling, training and careers guidance in this area are vital as we should be mindful that new jobs will be created through technology advancement or new industries, while other jobs may be substituted or transformed,” he said.
It is my wish that jobseekers, especially our youths will secure more employment opportunities in these emerging industries. This is the way forward in moving towards the future of work – adopting policies that translate into growth, development and decent jobs, he added.
“I therefore urge for all tripartite constituents to renew their commitment in offering decent jobs with safe working conditions and respect of workers’ rights.”
Minister Cosgrow added that the government of Seychelles through the Ministry of Employment, Entrepreneurship Development and Business Innovation reaffirms its commitment to the workers of Seychelles that it will continue to promote employment for the benefit of our present and future generations.
“The Ministry of Employment, Entrepreneurship Development and Business Innovation has undertaken many actions and achieved considerable results under its first generation of the Decent Work Country Programme in partnership with ILO,” Minister Cosgrow said.
Seychelles is currently elaborating the second generation of the Decent Work Country Programme. This second programme reiterates our pledge for decent work to the men and women workers of Seychelles and the willingness to address labour market challenges.
Minister Cosgrow added that the ministry together with ILO is currently developing the first National Labour Migration Policy.
I am confident that together, we will be able to holistically enhance our framework and to effectively manage the employment of foreign workers in tandem with employment of local workers, he added.
The ministry has equally launched a first National Occupational Safety and Health Policy to mobilise constituents in enhancing safety and health systems at work that minimise occupational accidents.
“We are confident of the guidance and support which ILO can offer, in the execution of the responsibilities we have taken upon us as the government of Seychelles, in providing a better standard of living for our society through decent employment for our citizens. Therefore, let us renew our commitment to work together, government, employers and workers to attain the goals of humanity as envisioned by the founders of ILO.
Seychelles became a member of the ILO in 1977 and the Ministry of Employment, Entrepreneurship Development and Business Innovation is the focal point for the organisation locally.
Ministry of Labour and Human Resource Development
Press Release
Minister for Labour and Human Resource Development, Ms Idith Alexander attends the 104th session of the International Labour Conference, Geneva
Tuesday 9th June 2015
The Minister for Labour and Human Resource Development, Ms Idith Alexander is heading a tripartite delegation from Seychelles at the 104th session of the International Labour Conference, organized by the International Labour Organization in Geneva, Switzerland from 1st to 13th June 2015.
Minister Alexander addressed the Conference on Tuesday 9th June 2015, and focused her intervention on the report of the Director General of the ILO, Mr Guy Ryder entitled “The future of work centenary initiatives” and also on the main items on the agenda: “Facilitating transition from the informal to the formal economy” and “Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises and decent and productive employment creation.”
Accordingly Minister Alexander stated that Seychelles as a small island developing state is also concerned with the future of work. “In appreciating our achievements, we are also mindful of our vulnerabilities. The persisting global challenges such as climate change on our shores, on our workers and businesses affirm that the labour market does not operate in isolation. Today climate change is not only about reducing environmental impact on society but it is also about protecting jobs, promoting renewable energy businesses and preserving the quality of life of a nation. The Government of Seychelles therefore remains active in the international community and we remain committed in creating new jobs namely through the diversification of our economy, particularly by the concept of the Blue Economy,” explained Minister Alexander.
Minister Alexander also affirmed that the Government of Seychelles will continue to strive for the formalization of SMEs. “The future of work for Seychelles will greatly depend on the love for our country, the determination of our people, the ambitions of our youth, the responsibility of workers, effective human resource management practices, productivity,entrepreneurship and sustainable businesses that generate decent jobs” explained the Minister.
The Minister also appealed to employers and workers to continue actively working together thereby building the future of work that we are all striving for.
The other members of the Seychelles delegation attending the ILO Conference are Ms Veronique Bresson, Principal Secretary for Labour and Human Resource Development, Ms Susan Morel, Director Policy Planning and Research, Mrs Michelle Labrosse, Executive Secretary of the Federation of the Employer’ Association of Seychelles and Mr Antoine Robinson, Secretary General of the Seychelles Federation of Workers’ Union.
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