IOT rewards long serving employees |08 October 2013

Ninety-three long serving workers at the Indian Ocean Tuna Limited (IOT) have been thanked and rewarded for the years they have spent working for the company.

This was during a special reception hosted by the company at Le Méridien Barbarons Hotel on Saturday for the group of long serving members of staff.

Attending the event were Minister for Labour and Human Resource Development Idith Alexander, directors from the IOT board, the company’s management and representatives of the Seychelles International Business Authority and Nouvanbanq.

Out of the group of 93, 57 workers received awards for having spent 10 years at IOT, 16 have received the 20-year award and 20 for reaching the milestone of 25 years.

A total of 76 women, which represents 82%, have received the awards while the remaining 17 out of the group are men.

All those who have received awards for having spent 20 and 25 years are Seychellois workers, while 39 from the 10-year group are expatriates.

Speaking at the event, IOT’s general manager Joram Madnack said out of the 2338 workers at the company, 1356 -- which represent 58% -- have worked more than five years and 725 (31%) have been with IOT for over 10 years.

“These numbers are impressive and show again the commitment of our workers to IOT. It is also a clear evidence of their dedication,” he said.
“Your sense of belonging to the company is exemplary,” he added.

Mr Madnack expressed his gratitude and that of the company to the workers, adding that IOT fully appreciates the numerous sacrifices they have made in their personal lives.
“For that achievement, I say thank you and I also thank your families for their help and sacrifices in making this journey possible, and in helping you to deliver your best at work,” he said.
“You are the biggest asset of this company and as such I will make sure that this asset is maintained as best as possible.”

Mr Madnack said it is vital for the workers to be happy in their working environment, hence making them more productive.

He spoke of the areas the company has invested in to make the factory working environment more conducive, which include new air extraction units in the labelling and casing areas, installation of

ATM machines on site and salary increment in January.

Others include assessing and improving the canteen as well as the clinic services, training and exchange programmes, and a loan scheme for the workers.

Mr Madnack outlined the significant challenges the company faces such as fish shortage triggering highest prices of the main raw material, electricity and water costs, absenteeism and local recruitment.

“The only way to survive the fierce competition is to ensure better efficiency and productivity in all our operations. For that we will continue to rely on our workforce,” he said.

Mr Madnack called on the government to help IOT to grow and to stay competitive so that it continues to create more employment.

“As a single company, we are one of the biggest foreign exchange contributors with an average contribution to the economy of Seychelles equal to 25 million euros annually,” he said.

“We therefore need to work together to ensure we mitigate all the adverse effects and keep this company stay competitive on the European market.”

Paying tribute to the awardees, the company’s production manager Gary Aglae congratulated them on their exemplary achievements.

“Working loyally for more than 10 years, 20 years and the milestone of 25 years at IOT is a lifetime experience that gives you a ticket to face any work challenges both in Seychelles and abroad,” he said.

 Mr Aglae added that the presence of the awardees is testimony that IOT is not only an economic contributor to the Seychelles but is also upholding its role to enhance the wellbeing of its workforce.

Awardees Tabitha Musoga and Jacqueline Barbe expressed words of thanks to the IOT team for the continuous support given throughout these years and for celebrating their achievements.