Request for permission for SLU protest rally rejected by Public Health Authority |08 September 2021
The Public Health Authority has turned down a request by the Seychelles Labour Union (SLU) to hold a rally on Saturday September 11 in protest of the announced hike in bus fare next month, increase in spot fines, among other pertinent issues.
In a letter dated September 4 and addressed to the Commissioner of Police Ted Barbe requesting for permission to hold the protest rally at Stad Popiler on Saturday morning, the president of SLU, Ralph Volcère, stated that not more than 500 to 1000 people were expected.
In another letter dated September 6, addressed to the Public Health Commissioner Dr Jude Gedeon, Mr Volcère detailed the reasons for the protest rally highlighting that this is not a political event but solely to protest against the recent announcement to increase bus fares starting October 1, 2021. And also the increment in spot fines to R1000.
“We feel that these measures will impact seriously on the spending power of ordinary workers in the country, many of whom are our members. We will also take the opportunity to advocate for better pay and working conditions for the workers in Seychelles. We would also like to highlight the fact that many workers in the forefront in the fight against Covid-19 are not being given risk allowances. The Ministry of Health should introduce regulations to compensate all the workers in Seychelles who are in the frontline,” Mr Volcère said.
Commissioner Barbe liaised with Dr Gedeon on the matter since the country is presently in a public health emergency and since there is a ban on public gatherings and no health protocols in place for mass gathering, permission has therefore not been granted by the Public Health Authority for the protest rally to go ahead.
Commissioner Barbe informed Mr Volcère of the decision in a letter dated September 6.
All attempts by Seychelles NATION late yesterday evening to reach Mr Volcère for his reaction to the decision remained unanswered.
Compiled by M-A.L