‘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
In 2021, the employment department approved 14,478 (85% out of a total applications) posts to be occupied by non-Seychellois workers compared to 8,565 (81% out of total applications) in 2020 and 10,522 (76%) in 2019.
The number of job seekers was 2,477 and under the ‘My First Job Scheme’, 447 people were employed representing 72% of the applicants.
These figures were shared yesterday by Employment and Social Affairs Minister Patricia Francourt, employment principal secretary Jules Baker, executive director Veronique Bresson and chief policy analyst Susan Morel during a presentation on the labour market performance for the year 2021 held at the International Conference Centre Seychelles (ICCS). The statistics are for the period January to December 2021.
“Last year when we presented the statistics, we were at the peak of Covid-19 and the programmes we had in place to assist businesses had come to an end. The employment department had worked tirelessly putting in huge efforts to ensure that people who have registered got an opportunity for a job. The work was intensified as we knew it was paramount for us to put our people in jobs as best as we could. We had launched the upskilling and reskilling programmes and jobseekers were encouraged to join these programmes. We are very pleased to report that many young adults took the opportunity to join the programmes. This year we are doing the same and more people are coming to register,” summarised Minister Francourt.
“The job market as we saw in the statistics did very well in 2021 compared to 2020. In 2020, redundancies were higher and businesses were not recruiting. So, we know for sure, as the government opened our borders in March 2021, it gave confidence to the market and businesses. We are happy to report that there were more vacancies and people were able to get a job. We worked in partnership with the agencies/companies that had more than 10 vacancies so that we were able to advertise the vacant posts twice a week on television,” explained Minister Francourt.
As for Ms Morel, she gave a thorough presentation of the report and noted that in 2021, out of the 2,477 jobseekers, 43% had a post-secondary qualification and 52% chose occupations in group services and sales.
“We were able to facilitate 1,837 job placements and 58% were females. In the bracket of 15-24 years, there were 995 job seekers and for the age bracket 25-44 years there were 1,353.
Ms Morel noted that in 2021, they registered more job seekers due to redundancies and also because of companies not employing people. Many had to follow the skills development programme and 209 job seekers went through the programme in 2021 compared to 477 in 2020 and 389 in 2019.
In total, 5,449 vacancies were registered in 2021 with 2,801 in accommodation and food service activities; 1,074 in construction; 596 in manufacturing and the rest in 17 other categories.
PS Baker talked about the various programmes the department of employment did, such as ‘My First Job Scheme’ which has been a huge success.
“Although the figures of 2021 showed many youths looking for a job, in 2022 from January to now, we have registered 723 jobseekers,” said PS Baker.
Regarding the conditions of work in some organisations/businesses which keep complaining that there are no Seychellois workers, Minister Francourt and PS Baker said they are aware of that and noted this is why many of the gainful occupation permit (GOP) requests were denied.
“Even though there was a pandemic, 731 inspections were made to different organisations and 129 cases were prosecuted and they were proven guilty. Since the beginning of this year, we have brought 22 cases before the court. Many employers do not want to come before the ministry as they know the consequences,” shared PS Baker.
Non-Seychellois employees in Seychelles
Ms Morel noted that non-Seychellois applied for 17,061 posts in 2021 compared to 10,591 in 2020 and 13,914 pre-pandemic period in 2019.
The industries representing the highest number of posts applied in 2021 were construction (7,440); accommodation and food service activities (3,371); wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles (1,485) and manufacturing (1,022).
Ms Morel shared that 49% of posts applied were new compared to 51% renewal posts and this is a different pattern compared to the last two years where new positions comprised a higher percentage of posts for non-Seychellois workers. The employment department approved 14,478 (85% out of total applications) posts to be occupied by non-Seychellois workers compared to 8,565 (81% out of the total applications) in 2020 and 10,522 (76%) in 2019.
To conclude, the employment department noted that the labour market improved from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic by end of 2021, despite discontinuation of employment programmes and financial support to businesses in early 2021.
There are still signs of underlying issues, however, which persist such as skills mismatch and business high reliance on foreign workers. The trend for the first quarter of 2022 shows similar positive path with high labour demand albeit persisting effects of the pandemic on jobseekers and ongoing uncertainty with the Russia/Ukraine conflict, although the impact is yet to be felt
Minister Francourt said that for 2022, we have to stay vigilant and she urged all Seychellois jobseekers to take a job and stay in jobs and secure the jobs for the betterment of Seychelles. Also, discussions are ongoing with the Ministry of Education and other ministries to see how to better prepare our people to take up some of the demands of the market.
Vidya Gappy
It is a known fact that many people have moved on to lead successful lives and take up careers they enjoy after rehabilitation, while, in addition, many companies today are open to hiring candidates with previous drug or alcohol issues.
With the goal of promoting that culture, the employment department, along with two of its partners, namely the Guy Morel Institute (TGMI) and the division of substance abuse prevention treatment and rehabilitation (DSAPTR) has started a ‘Prepare for work programme’ – soft skills for reskilling and upskilling for former substance abusers.
Upskilling is the process of learning new skills or of teaching workers new skills, while reskilling is the process of learning new skills so you can do a different job, or of training people to do a different job.
The first group of 11 former substance abusers received their certificates on Tuesday afternoon after successfully completing the five-day training which aims at transforming their mindsets by exploring three main topics ‒ including personal leadership, mind-set change and vision and career change.
The newly-acquired skills will also enable them to better navigate the world and also to make use of it in their personal life.
The certificate presentation ceremony which took place at the TGMI at Ma Joie was attended by the Minister of Employment and Social Affairs Patricia Francourt, principal secretary for health Dr Bernard Valentin, acting executive director of TGMI Patrick Bristol, among other guests.
Addressing the participants, Minister Francourt, firstly, commended them for the effort and first step taken in their journey to employment despite their struggle, based on their substance abuse history.
She explained that their moves show that they are willing to adjust to normal life again while re-entering the workforce can help them as individuals to recover in so many ways, since a new job gives a person in recovery a newfound sense of purpose and responsibility.
She explained to them that even if life during and after recovery may seem like an uphill battle at times, in the end, a healthy, happy and substance-free life will be well worth the journey.
Minister Francourt further added that since the beginning of the training programme, she had been in regular contact with the facilitators and staff, keeping a close eye on the progress and that she was delighted each time to receive a positive comment.
She noted that based on the ongoing transformation, Seychelles as a country is in need, more than ever of all its healthy citizens who are determined and willing to play a part in its development.
The employment and social affairs minister pledged her support for the group and reassured them that she has great hope in them, similar to other partners, like local companies that believe in giving second chances, and are willing to take them on board.
She also urged others who have fell victims to substance addiction and are willing to make a positive change in their lives to come forward and join the programme.
On behalf of the Ministry of Health, precisely the DSAPTR, Dr Valentin noted that the most remarkable thing that he got from the participants is that during the week, they have learned to respect themselves and other people, and also how to properly behave in everyday life.
All these, he said, are very important criteria which lead to an exemplary and respectful citizen within the society, and by learning these, the participants are on the good path towards recovery and re-adjustment within the society, especially integrating the world of work.
By Roland Duval
The Minister for Employment and Social Affairs, Patricia Francourt, met with Celine Lemmel, Chief of Mission for Seychelles and Mauritius from the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), on Thursday April 7, 2022 at the ministry’s office, Independence House Annex.
Ms Lemmel, who was accompanied by Niven Muneesammy, IOM National Programme and Policy Officer, is on an official mission in Seychelles and took the opportunity to discuss labour migration issues with the Ministry of Employment and Social Affairs.
Minister Francourt stated that the work of the IOM remains relevant to the ministry as Seychelles continues to experience a high demand for migrant workers. In 2021 there were 17061 posts applied by employers for recruitment of migrant workers in the country. Majority of the requests were from the industries of construction, tourism, wholesale and retail trade and manufacturing. Hence, fair and ethical recruitment and induction of migrant workers prior to coming to work in Seychelles are crucial to ensure effective management of their employment.
On her part, Ms Lemmel expressed her appreciation to the ministry for the close collaboration and engagement of Seychelles with the IOM and commended the country on its effort in addressing labour migration issues, trafficking in persons and for including the migrant workers in vaccination against Covid-19 pandemic.
“The IOM is here to support the country and extend its collaboration at the next level,” said Ms Lemmel. Areas of future collaboration discussed were in regards to labour mobility, implementation of priority areas under the action plan of the Seychelles labour migration policy and technical assistance under the Southern Africa Migration Management (SAMM) project.
Also present at the meeting was the principal secretary for Employment, Jules Baker; principal secretary for Social Affairs, Linda William-Melanie; chief executive of the Agency for Social Protection, Brenda Morin; executive director in office of the minister, Veronique Bresson; Chief Policy Analyst Susan Morel and an official from the department of Foreign Affairs.
Contributed by the Ministry of Employment & Social Affairs
TODAY in Seychelles-23rd March 2022
The governments of Seychelles and Nepal are in discussion on a bilateral labour agreement to ensure protection of the rights of Nepalese workers in Seychelles, further to discussion on a request for the recruitment of 60 Nepalese security personnel for the Seychelles Police Force.
A four-member delegation from the Nepalese government, led by the Minister for Labour, Employment and Social Security, Krishna Kumar Shrestha, arrived in the country yesterday morning and in the afternoon they met with the Minister for Employment and Social Affairs, Patricia Francourt, and her delegation, for discussion on the bilateral agreement.
The meeting was held at the ministry’s boardroom, Independence House.
The signing of the bilateral agreement will enable ethical recruitment practices and clearly establish the obligation of Seychellois employers to ensure that the workers’ best interests are looked after.
The agreement will also create favourable environment for better preparation of Nepalese nationals coming to work in the Seychelles. An induction will be done for the best candidates before they come to work in the Seychelles. It will also provide for the sharing of information to help both countries to monitor the workers and to engage in good governance practices.
It is anticipated that the implementation of the agreement will ensure that workers, before coming into our country, do register with specific recruitment employment agencies with a competent authority in Nepal. Workers will also have to be skilled and qualified for the post that they take.
Employment contracts are to be signed by the employers and by the workers as well. The latter are to be made aware of the terms and conditions in their contracts. They are also to be well prepared in terms of basic communication (English) and have knowledge of the life and culture of our country.
After she had welcomed Minister Shrestha and his delegation, Minister Francourt spoke a little bit about the country’s labour market and on the status and situation of the Nepalese workers in the country.
The minister said that our country’s labour market is very small with 50,000 informal workers in employment under a population of 100,000. With the un-employment rate below 5%, the minister remarked that the country continues to have a high demand for labour and a strong reliance on foreign workers.
There were 20,196 foreign workers in the country by the end of February 2022, out of whom approximately 1176 were Nepalese workers. The majority of them are employed in the economic sectors mainly in hotel establishments (429) in security and some in restaurants. There are 215 Nepalese working in construction, 130 working in public administration and defence (Police and Prison), 77 working in real estate while 75 are working in wholesale and retail.
Minister Francourt assured Minister Shrestha that the country has a rigorous and systematic guidelines and regulations in place, in its effort to safeguard migrant workers in the country.
She noted that only a minimum of Nepalese workers have lodged their grievances at the ministry, mainly in regards to unjustified terminations. She added that no grievances were registered in 2021 which in itself was encouraging.
In highlighting the wish of the government to sign a bilateral labour agreement with Nepal, which is also part of our country’s National Migration Policy, Minister Francourt conveyed our thanks to the Nepalese government for recognising the need for the agreement which has been long overdue. Her ministry has already received the last draft of the bilateral labour agreement which has been reviewed internally based on previous comments provided by the Employment department.
As for the recruitment of the 60 security personnel for the police force, Minister Francourt stated she hopes that all logistics are going well and as best as can be.
In concluding Minister Francourt thanked the Nepalese government for helping in finalising the agreement which is of mutual interest to both governments to ensure protection of the rights of the Nepalese workers, their welfare and good working and living conditions while in employment in Seychelles.
She noted that the agreement may also help in experiencing greater migration flow between the two countries.
For his part, Minister Shrestha said that his government was very happy to be expediting the bilateral agreement with our country in which both countries are committed to moving towards the proposed agreement.
He thanked our government for giving the Nepalese nationals the opportunity to work in our diverse country. He said that foreign employment is one of the domain much aspired by the Nepalese youth and that currently 3 million Nepalese are working overseas contributing significantly a high 27% of GDP in the national economy. He noted that his government has approved for the 60 security personnel, out of 1000 applicants, to work in our country which bears testimony to the level of interest by the Nepalese people to work in our country.
Minister Shrestha stated that apart from working for the respect of the rights of Nepalese workers with our government, such agreement is also being undertaken with other countries employing Nepalese workers.
He noted the fact that there have been no grievances on the part of the Nepalese workers in 2021, indicates that our country acceptance for the Nepali people and that the bilateral agreement is testimony of how both countries are committed to protecting the rights and safety issues of migrant workers and to eliminate unfair practices that lead to human trafficking.
He said that his government will exercise all the required conditions in the agreement, once it is signed, for the benefit of both countries.
He also emphasised that both countries to also make use the bilateral agreement to work together to link the regime of foreign employment with other sectors in a way to possibly enhance more the friendly relations between the two countries.
The signing of the refined agreement after the discussion is expected to take place in Nepal.
Patrick Joubert
Eight staff of Club Med Seychelles have been awarded certificates of confirmation to follow overseas training in France for a six-month period.
This was during a small ceremony on Monday afternoon at the Club Med Seychelles office at the Eden Island jetty in the presence of Employment and Social Affairs Minister Patricia Francourt, Club Med Seychelles’ human resources manager Wilna Tirant, director of operations at Club Med Seychelles Daniel Guimaraes, director general employment promotion Letimie Dookley and Club Med staff.
Ms Dookley described the moment as “a milestone in the ministry’s history” as they sealed the commitment made the previous year with Club Med. This was to keep its promise to not only recruit locally as much as possible but to also train Seychellois, a move initiated by the employment department.
Last year Club Med had given its commitment to enhance the local expertise through promotion and job opportunities in other resorts of Club Med.
Minister Francourt said they have been advocating for a long time for the development of Seychellois workers. “It is gratifying to see that gradually we are progressing,” she said.
Minister Francourt said “today is a testimony of this engagement with concrete evidence whereby eight Seychellois will be working in other Club Med destinations around the world. One other Seychellois from Club Med has already left and is currently working in the Dominican Republic”.
She described this as a great achievement, adding that upon their return they will be able to share their newly acquired knowledge.
Minister Francourt also took the opportunity to encourage other resorts to follow in the footsteps of Club Med.
Club Med Seychelles’ director of operations Daniel Guimaraes said that “la mobilité internationale through well-established plans and structure, a project that is new for Seychelles, is beneficial for both Club Med and the country.
Mr Guimaraes saluted the cooperation and relationship between the Club Med and the department of employment.
He also congratulated all the awardees and thanked them for the remarkable work they have produced as well as wished them farewell and an amazing journey ahead.
Mr Guimaraes said these employees are an example to other employees and he is very proud of them.
The eight awardees from the restaurant, housekeeping and food production will get the chance to further their skills in France for six months at Club Med Palmyre Atlantique, Club Med Opio and Club Med Arcs Panorama, then possibly move on to other locations.
Marla Siméon
