Ministry seeks public views on Employment Bill 2016 |13 October 2016

A delegate puts forward his views during the consultative meeting

The Ministry of Labour and Human Resource Development (MLHRD) is currently reviewing the Employment Bill 2016 to ensure that the views of everyone are well considered.

The Employment Bill 2016 is expected to replace the Employment Act 1995, which is Seychelles’ main labour law, providing for the basic terms and working conditions for all types of employees, with some exceptions. 

Proposals for the revised Employment Act are based on discussions between the government, private sector, trade union, employer’s organisations and the International Labour Organisation.

To make such modifications to the Employment Bill 2016, MLHRD organised a two-day open meeting to make the public familiar with the new laws and regulations, in addition to giving the opportunity to the public to express their views.

Present at the two-day meeting were the principal secretary in the MLHRD Veronique Bresson, representatives from Air Seychelles, Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA), the Cleaners Cooperative Association, among others.

Those present were able to give their views on how the Employment Bill should be implemented, along by providing concrete ideas on how MLHRD should better deliver information to the public.

Among the proposals that came out were that all employers must submit vacancies of their respective organisation to the Employment Service Bureau of the MLHRD on a monthly basis; restriction on employment of non-citizens; contract of employment; contract for training and skills development; payment of wages; 13 month salary; protection of employment; termination of contract; transfer of the employment tribunal to the judiciary, offences, penalties and prosecution.

The technical advisor at MLHRD, Susan Morel, stated that such consultative meeting was to present new provisions in the law with members of the public for them to be aware of the impacts such revision on the 2016 bill will have on their work, along with the labour law.

“We wanted to hear their opinion and comments so that afterwards we can consider with other partners to see how we can balance the labour law so that employees and employers can benefit. We wanted to review the Employment Act to make it more modern and balanced for both workers and employers, without jeopardising workers’ right. As we know the Employment Act governs the obligations of workers and employers in Seychelles,” she said.

She added that many suggestions came out in the meeting.

“At the meeting people wanted to know more about the 13 month salary, they wanted to gain more clarification on how it will work, and also who is qualified to have it. They proposed that the 13 month salary should be based on your performance and does not become automatic. In the new bill we have added that certain small businesses will not be able to give the 13 month salary due to the fact that they are not making profit, but the audience was of the view that all workers should receive the 13 month salary. The bill will be presented in the assembly by the end of this year,” she said.

MLHRD hopes that the Employment Bill will better define the rights and obligations at work, it will also contribute towards a favourable environment for businesses taking into consideration the welfare of employees and needs of jobseekers and employers.

The Employment Bill 2016 can also be downloaded on the MLHRD website http://www.employment.gov.sc/. People have until Friday to give their views on the subject.