National Assembly deliberates on immigration and citizenship |28 June 2018

The issue of the country’s immigration policies -- whether to restrict it and to what extent, its current mechanisms and how to remediate their deficiencies -- was heavily debated yesterday in the National Assembly.

The debate was prompted by a motion brought by the representative for Mont Fleuri, Jean-François Ferrari, who requested that the government takes immediate action to revise our immigration and citizenship laws to ensure that Seychelles does not become a territory where foreigners can easily enter, stay and gain citizenship.

During his presentation, Mr Ferrari emphasised that Seychelles is made up of different ethnicities, notably Africans, Asians and Europeans who came to Seychelles for various reasons, and that we should never fall prey to racism or xenophobia.

“Our reflection today is merely that. I do not expect that we all agree on one solution and direction to take, but I do hope that reflections and debate bring forth constructive recommendations to direct immigration laws in the future,” Mr Ferrari said.

To add relevance to his motion, Mr Ferrari said that a country that does not implement modern immigration laws is at risk of losing its cultural heritage.

The motion and the opposition do not ignore the local labour market’s necessity for foreign workers nor foreign investments but rather is asking the government to invest in encouraging and training its people to reduce this dependence on foreign workers.

“Seychelles is a small country of 90,000 people in a world of billions of people and that figure is expected to increase while our population growth is stagnating hence, like it or not, we have to face the reality that we will need these foreign workers,” he said.

“Yet, we have to be intelligent on how to manage this situation and how to preserve and enrich our nation.”

His reflection also dwelled on the economic effects and social implications of a lax immigration system whereby he provided various food for thought such as:

Should a foreign national who marries a Seychellois automatically be legible to receive a Seychellois passport or rather receive a permanent resident’s permit? What is the implication of such on the couple's children later on who will be Seychelles citizens?

Should foreigners receive Seychellois citizenship and passport without proving they merit such?

Should it be made possible for a naturalised Seychellois to have his/her citizenship revoked in certain specific cases such as being involved in illegal activities?

Will there be too many people, including naturalised Seychellois, depending on the Seychelles Pension Fund at a point in the future?

Is it currently too easy for foreigners to receive Gainful Occupation Permit (GOP) to work in the Seychelles?

One of the most prominent propositions raised during yesterday's debates included the establishment of a citizenship committee, which would remove the responsibility of appertaining citizenship from the President of the Republic.

MNA Basil Hoareau also added that the deliberations and decisions of this committee should be made accessible to the public, and include its participation.

He further offered that the serious considerations be made concerning amendments to the certain articles in the citizenship section of the Constitution.

After the debate was exhausted, Mr Ferrari stated that he hopes the executive branch of the government takes heed of the legislative's debate in order to create an immigration law which reflects the position, principles and sentiment of most Seychellois.

The merit of the motion was approved, with 22 members voting in its favour and none against.