Employment minister visits Four Seasons Desroches |22 February 2023

The Minister for Employment and Social Affairs, Patricia Francourt, accompanied by officials from the Employment department, visited the Four Seasons Desroches last week to learn more about the employees’ work life on the outer island and get a better insight of the advantages for working away from home and also the constraints they face.

The visit was an opportunity to meet with the workers in their actual working environment, interact and better understand the living conditions, from their perspectives.

The minister and her delegation were well received by the management of the hotel as well as all the workers.

The workers who were on duty were happy to share their experiences of the outer island life.

They highlighted the benefits for such career choices such as the possibility to make savings, no hassle of traffic on the way to work, quiet environment and commitment towards their job without other distractions.

Minister Francourt stated that these particular visits are crucial as it provides considerable empirical views when considering future policy decisions.

The minister highlighted her pride to see that many youths have taken a career in the tourism sector, and furthermore on an outer island.

She took the opportunity to encourage the employees to further build their careers, achieve their life goals and be role models to others.

The interactions were also an opportunity to learn more about the daily routines of the workers and how they are adapting to the outer island life.

The employees pointed out their contentment for their job, the opportunities it provides as well as stressing out on areas for improvements, such as ways to make their life on the island more homely, the need to address culture barriers among workers with different nationalities, as well as improve their accommodation facilities.

The delegation was able to enlighten the employees on points raised and inform on the ministry’s strategy to localise positions within the industry as well as ensuring good favourable working conditions for every employee.

Minister Francourt and her delegation ended their visit with a quick briefing with the general manager of the hotel.

She emphasised the need to create a good working environment at the workplace, combined with the right attitude which is effective in building a healthy and happy workforce.

The minister will meet with the management of the Four Season Desroches at a later date to further discuss on the visit and examine possible recommendations for the betterment of the workers and the establishment.

The delegation from the Employment department who accompanied the minister comprised the executive director for the ministry, Veronique Bresson; the director general for Labour Relations, Steve Monnaie; director general for Labour Migration, Tara Diallo; and the director for Labour Monitoring and Compliance, Stephanie Boniface.

Deroches is the main Island on Amirantes and part of the outer islands of Seychelles. Four Seasons Desroches is the only hotel on the island and employs some more than 200 staff of whom are both locals and expatriates.

The accompanying photographs show some highlights of the ministerial delegation’s visit.

Article & photos contributed