‘A positive mindset and attitude for a productive Seychelles’ is the chosen theme to mark this year’s Productivity Awareness Week which kicked off yesterday with a discussion, awareness and education session on productivity for chief executives, managers from government and other institutions.

The two-day session entitled ‘Mindset for positive transformation’ and held at the STC conference room was launched by Minister for Employment and Social Affairs, Patricia Francourt.

She stated when addressing everyone in attendance that through the chosen theme for the productivity week this year “our country is once again calling on all of us workers, employers and stakeholders incorporated to rise to the challenge by adopting a more positive attitude to and towards work by taking our responsibility to give the best of ourselves, for the further development of our country.”

“Now is the time for workers and employers to invest in higher education, training and human resource development, as they become more relevant during difficult times. They are the major drivers of sustainable growth and they are inter-linked with the creation of a productive workforce. I therefore seize this occasion to encourage all workers and jobseekers to appreciate the value of learning and to be determined in acquiring further skills and know-how that will lead to higher income and a better standard of living,” said Minister Francourt.

She further stated that the working session is “a significant occasion, as the reason we are here, is to accentuate the importance of improving workplace productivity nationally during these challenging times and beyond. It is encouraging to see the strong representation from the public sector especially as government has embarked on adopting results based management in the delivery of its services and attainment of its targets. It is also an opportunity for the participants to be educated on productivity, to improve their leadership and management style and to make a difference in their workplace,” Minister Francourt pointed out.

“The issues affecting productivity are a concern for everyone so we should all join forces as this is our future,” concluded Minister Francourt.

Chief secretary of the Public Service Bureau, Shella Mohideen led the training session during which delegates followed a master class about mindset and its importance for effective public sector reforms, mindset for institutional effectiveness, change in management models internalisation of principles and values for change, key strategies to foster change in public officers’ mindset, accountability for change of mindset and leaders as change agents.

Ms Mohideen noted that the master class is important as there is a strong link between leadership and public sector outcomes.

“A strong leadership influences public service effectiveness and efficiency and public innovation to improve public services and rebuild/enhance trust in public institutions. This master class will also allow leaders/managers to reflect on their practices, and it should help them become better change agents for better service delivery,” Mrs Mohideen stressed.

She further pointed out that at the end of the session, the senior leaders should be able to show understanding of what is mindset and its impact on public sector reforms, discuss the predominant mindset in government employees, critically analyse the existing factors that have led to this predominant mindset amongst other related matters.

Throughout the Productivity Awareness Week, the Ministry of Employment and Social Affairs will also organise different educational programmes to promote good productivity practices as a change in mindset, a change of attitude and a change in work ethos are essential to improve   productivity.

Also present at the launch ceremony were Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism Sylvestre Radegonde, Minister for Lands and Housing Billy Rangasamy, Minister for Investment, Entrepreneurship and Industry Devika Vidot, Speaker of the National Assembly Roger Mancienne, representatives of the Seychelles Federation of Workers Union, Seychelles Labour Union and the Seychelles Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Vidya Gappy