Redundancy progress to begin soon for employees of Cleaners’ Cooperative |25 November 2023
Last week’s meeting with the cleaners
Representatives from the Ministry of Finance, National Planning and Trade, Public Service Bureau and Office of the Attorney General met with employees of the Cleaners’ Cooperative late last week to inform them of government decision to dissolve the entity and of their future employment.
They were informed they will be made redundant due to the dissolution of the Cleaners’ Cooperative, consequently they will be paid all their dues, such as; accrued leave, prorated gratuity, compensation and 13th month salary. Payment of all exit entitlement, except 13th month, is expected to be effected before the end of December.
The redundancy process as per the Employment Act is expected to be triggered soon.
All 600 or so employees have been given the opportunity to be absorbed into the public service. The Public Service Bureau will support the administrative staff in finding new employment opportunities in the government.
Similar meetings were also held on Praslin and La Digue for employees of Cleaners’ Cooperative based on the two islands.
A form, by means of a Letter of Expression of Interest, was handed out to the employees which they will fill to show their intent to be employed in government. The form of Expression of Interest should have been submitted to their HR Officers in their respective ministry, department or agency where they are currently based, on Monday, November 20, 2023.
The new terms and conditions of employment for the housekeepers will be determined by the signed employment contract between the two parties. As with all new staff, they will be placed on a six-month probation.
During the meeting, the attendees sought clarifications from the panel, which included questions such as; why they were not transferred automatically, their salary package, long service allowance, 13th month payment, working hours, change in terms of employment conditions, and what would happen to those working in the private sector or parastatals.
The housekeepers of Cleaners’ Cooperative have been urged to respect all deadlines to ensure a smooth payment and employment process.
The meeting was chaired by secretary of state in the Ministry of Finance, National Planning and Trade, Patrick Payet.
The panel comprised the chief secretary of the Public Service Bureau (PSB), Shella Mohideen; Attorney General, Frank Ally; chairperson of the Cleaners’ Cooperative, Marie-Nella Azemia; CEO of Cleaners’ Cooperative, Marie Ange Denis; Michelle Fock-Yune from PSB and executive director in the office of SS Payet, Irene Croisée.
Press release from the Ministry of Finance, National Planning and Trade
Photos: Contributed
