Labour minister visits Four Seasons Resort |10 October 2013

The Minister for Labour and Human Resource Development, Idith Alexander, recently visited the Four Seasons Resort located at Anse Soleil, Baie Lazare in line with her ministry’s aim of building a stronger partnership with the private sector, which currently employs approximately 70% of the working population in Seychelles.

The ministerial delegation, which also comprised high officials from the ministry, was greeted by general manager Alex Porteus, director of human resources Abdul Rahim and human resource manager Lucianne Ally. They were then taken on a guided tour of the resort where they met and spoke to staff members working in different departments and sections.
 
Most of the staff members Minister Alexander conversed with said they were pleased with their work conditions with a few raising concerns related to human resource.
 
In the debriefing session which followed the visit, Minister Alexander suggested the implementation of internal grievance procedures to address the concerns raised by staff members.
 
The minister also commended the resort manager for working closely with her ministry for the re-skilling programme with the Seychelles Tourism Academy (STA) and the Seychelles Institute of Technology. The resort has to date trained and employed 12 Skills Development Programme participants and currently employs four Seychelles Tourism Academy / Shannon College graduates.

On this note, Minister Alexander was equally pleased to learn that besides from introducing staff performance schemes to promote productivity, the resort offers specialised training to STA students in postnatal and antenatal therapy and oriental cuisine.

“I am pleased to see that your resort has already submitted its localisation plan. My ministry will now assist you with the implementation of your plan,” Minister Alexander said.

On his part, Mr Porteous informed the minister that although the resort has a number of platforms through which staff members can put forward their concerns, they will also introduce direct communication process to the general manager for staff members.
 
Mr Porteous thanked Minister Alexander and her delegation for the visit and assured her that his resort would continue to maintain a close working relationship with her ministry.