Trade unionists sharpen negotiating skills |25 May 2005

The workshop which has been organised by the Seychelles Federation of Workers Union in collaboration with the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions African Regional Organisation (ICFTU-AFRO) based in Nairobi, Kenya is being held under the theme "Negotiating Skills and Collective Bargaining for Trade Union Leaders."

When making his address before declaring the workshop open in the presence of Mban Kabu an education officer from ICFTU-AFRO who is also the main coordinator of the workshop, Jean Raguin, the director general of employment said that "the workshop could not have come at a better time than now when Seychelles is going through a very taxing transition stage."

Mr Raguin said that "President James Michel has stressed the need for dialogue and consultation and the seminar can provide the necessary acumen for this purpose which should hopefully lead to better labour relations and higher productivity."

He added that after the workshop the representatives of the unions and other participants would have required the necessary negotiating skills to better represent and service the group of employees they represent.

On his part secretary general of SFWU Antoine Robinson said that the workshop will refresh and equip union negotiators to effectively address emerging issues and deepen the meaning and comprehension of collective bargaining agreements.

Mr Kabu assured the workers of Seychelles that the ICFTU - AFRO will continue to work closely with the SFWU in the field of education with a view of finding common grounds as a step towards addressing the problems confronting the working people.

The workshop participants are looking at the different processes of collective bargaining, collective agreements, wage negotiation and negotiating techniques and also at other important issues of great concern in today's industrial relations such as social dialogue, HIV/Aids and also workers' rights and responsibilities vis à vis productivity at work.

Also present at the workshop were the president of SFWU Olivier Charles, the principal secretary for employment department Jessie Esparon and the Registrar of the Seychelles Trade Unions Marja Karjeleinen.