As part of its emergency support programme to cushion the economic impact of COVID-19, the government is putting in place the Seychelles Employee Transition Scheme (Sets), a temporary scheme to assist workers who will be made redundant soon.
Due to scarcity of jobs on the local market as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the Ministry of Employment, Immigration and Civil Status, in collaboration with the Agency for Social Protection (ASP), will as from July 1, 2020 be introducing a new internship scheme for returning and local based graduates.
The COVID-19 pandemic is greatly affecting the world of work thus threatening the livelihood of many all over the world. Without quick and appropriate response on the part of governments, this could lead to grave economic downturn with many workers losing their jobs. In order to prevent a situation where our citizens are terribly affected in this process, the Ministry has quickly stepped in with several measures to cushion the effect of the pandemic on our workers.
New GOP framework discussed
A new gainful occupation permit framework related to COVID-19, strategies required to be in place beyond July 1 and proposals for the way forward for national programmes and employment schemes were some of the points discussed during yesterday’s fourth consultative session.
President Danny Faure has assented to the Employment (Amendment) Act 2020, which was approved by the National Assembly on May 19, 2020.
The Amendment to the Employment Act (Cap 69) regulates the deferment of payment, and reduction of the wages of a worker pending the termination of the government programme for salary support to workers as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Amendment to the Employment Act (Cap 69) also regulates the deferment of payment, and reduction of the wages of a worker during the period of government programme for salary support to workers as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Amendment also restricts the lay-off or redundancy of Seychellois workers in certain circumstances. It also provides that any approval given by a competent officer to temporary lay off a Seychellois worker or terminate the employment of a Seychellois worker on grounds of redundancy in certain circumstances shall not take effect prior to July 1, 2020.
Press release from the Office of the President
Employment policies and GOP procedures discussed
Relief schemes being implemented to reduce the economic impacts of COVID-19 on businesses, employment policies, procedures for gainful occupation permits are some of the topics discussed during yesterday’s third consultative session.
President Danny Faure chaired the session with key representatives of government and private sector stakeholders at State House.
Seychellois employees will not lose out on their salaries after June 2020, now that government has guaranteed to continue paying their salaries from July to end of December 2020.
It was the Minister for Finance, Trade, Investment and Economic Planning, Ambassador Maurice Loustau-Lalanne, who made the announcement with the press yesterday, following a second round of meeting chaired by President Danny Faure with key stakeholders on pertinent employment-related matters until June 2020 and beyond, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Expatriate workers will not be included for salary retention as from July.
Debate on the Employment Amendment Bill, 2020 resumed yesterday following an adjournment on debate last week following which several consultative meetings have been held with various concerned stakeholders including employers in different sectors and workers’ union representative to reach a consensus that would address the concerns of both employees and employers.
