Jules Baker, Principal Secretary (PS) for Employment detailed some of the points put across from the Ministry of Employment during the economic forum on 16 March at State House. These included redundancy measures, school closure, leaves, relief schemes and work habits.

Jules Baker, PS for Employment admitted on 16 March that the COVID-19 crisis has a direct impact on employment. The PS said that a lot of employers are concerned and are wondering what procedures are planned in the eventuality if a massive redundancy, for instance. The latter is one of the issues brought forth by the Ministry of Employment at the economic forum. Baker stated, "We have notified the president concerning certain situations and concerns. President Faure has taken this into consideration and will make a public announcement before 31 March on a strategy to move for-ward with."

 The strategy should make provisions to reduce the possibility or cushion effects of a mass redundancy.                     

When questioned by the press, Baker admitted that provisions had not previously been made for the eventuality of such a cri-sis; "[...] the government did not include in its budget funds for counter-measures and assistance’'

During the gathering at State House, the subject of school children being home-bound for 14 days was also raised, particularly the impact on parents. Baker talked about doing some research and coming out with statistics to ascertain how many parents are expected to be affected, both in the private and public sectors; "a strategy is being worked on."

 

Another subject was for workers in quarantine. "The government takes this into consideration and a decision has been taken. All employers will pay their staff 14 days and the cost will be absorbed by the government’'

The PS for Employment also stated that sick leave was discussed with the Health Commissioner, Jude Gedeon. Baker in-formed that the authorities do not exactly know how long one person may take to recover; it depends on the individual. "We will take that into consideration, both employee and employers' perspectives’'

A strategic decision is also expected to follow through shortly regarding the amount of sick-leave days to be refunded.

The unemployment relief scheme (URS) is also to be re-viewed. For now, it is limited to those deemed 'challenged; These include people faced with social ills, drug problems, disabilities and such. Baker said, "The URS will be extended to include any worker that has been made redundant’'

Situations are arising in work-places due to fear and confusion, some employees in some instances refusing to work. The Minis-try of Employment informed the press that a notice will be released soon for employers on how to handle situations and on precautionary measures in the work-place.

 Stress was made on employers to communicate as much as possible to staff on their rights, responsibilities and to ensure safety for all.

A critical question from concerned workers is the possibility to work from home. Baker expressed that there are no provisions in our laws that cater for the possibility to work from home.

"We are working closely with CBS [the Central Bank of Seychelles] to assess the best way about this. Not everyone can work from home and there's a certain category of workers that do not necessarily need to be in the workplace. We are looking into criteria for a work at home scheme’'

The PS concluded, 'We need to ascertain if such workers will be paid a full salary, how annual leave will work, and ways to not affect workers' rights."

 

by A. Laporte