Employment ministry supports positive relationship with the private sector |20 February 2018

Employment Minister Myriam Telemaque identifies active and consistent procedures as an absolute necessity if we want to enhance the implementation of development and localisation at organisational levels.

This was her firm message during her first visit to a tourism establishment that forms part of the industry, one of the main employments in the country.

The Minister of Employment, Immigration and Civil Status began the year 2018 ministerial visits at the Carana Beach Hotel. The hotel renowned for its luxurious environment retains a higher number of local workers at 63 to non-Seychellois workers at 33 attracting a commendation for the mentioned process put in place to provide ample opportunity for local workers. The hotel also retains a young workforce creating suitable training for young students from professional centres and helping them develop a career which is in line with the minister’s emphasis on the necessity for understudies.

The regular routine of ministerial visits begins with a brief introduction of the ministerial delegation to the administrative staff and the pre-scheduled tour of the premises. This provides the minister with an opportunity to observe and interact with the workers at their individual work stations. After the tour, the ministerial delegation has a debriefing with the management of the hotel and during this session, the issues raised during the tour are discussed, commendations are made where good practices are observed, best practices are shared and support is provided for the workers and establishments in the form of proposed guidelines and monitoring.

The visit spurred positive feedback in line with the suitable salary scheme, development opportunities and pleasant management, so also did it raise    concerns of which some were related to staff meals which the workers felt could be better and a more appropriate means of transportation for the workers who reside far from the hotel.

Workers with fixed days off expressed their preference for a rotated off days arrangement. Also the unavailability of rest areas for workers with split shifts presented an inconvenience for the workers while waiting for their next shift to begin and finally the gardeners requested for more suitable and appropriate protective gears.  

As a strategy for staff retention, the ministry advised the hotel management to conduct a more frequent tête-à-tête with staff in order to better understand, meet the needs and create job satisfaction among their workers. The ministry also proposed the introduction of a health and safety officer which the hotel is in the process of recruiting as well as more kitchen staff.

After the visit, the minister expressed appreciation for their hospitality and satisfaction in the working conditions of the hotel.

The accompanying photos were taken during the minister’s visit to the hotel.