Officials updated on world labour standards |23 August 2012

   
Minister Alexander addressing guests and delegates at the launch of the workshop on Tuesday

This is being done through a three-day national tripartite workshop on international labour standards and reporting organised by the Ministry of Labour and Human Resource Development in collaboration with the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

The workshop, which is being followed by social partners and participants to discuss conventions of which their reports are due this year, was officially launched on Tuesday at the Seychelles Trading Company’s conference centre by the Minister for Labour and Human Resource Development, Idith Alexander.

Designated Minister Vincent Meriton, Education Minister Macsuzy Mondon, Environment and Energy Minister, Professor Rolph Payet, Health Minister Mitcy Larue, members of the National Assembly and high government officials attended the launch ceremony.

In her speech, Minister Alexander said that Seychelles has had a rich history in international labour standards and that over the decades the government has been particularly active in promoting the cause of the ILO and advancing the decent work agenda through ratification of ILO conventions.

Seychelles has up to now ratified 31 of ILO’s conventions, including the eight core conventions on fundamental principles and rights at work.

The minister stated that Seychelles was the first country in the world to ratify convention number 182 on worst forms of child labour.

Minister Alexander emphasised the importance of providing quality reports, as through this, she said, we can better equip ourselves to create safe and healthy working environments to reduce occupational accidents and increase productivity.

“By providing quality reports, we can introduce systems to ensure that workers are being treated equally despite their gender, age and disability, which can lead to more satisfied workers and low turnover.

“Quality reports can also help in ensuring that rights at work are respected, decent jobs are created and investments are made into training which can motivate workers to be innovative and smart. Compliance with our reporting obligation can equally ensure that social dialogue is at the core of consultations, thereby enhancing stable relations between workers, employers and government,” said the minister who added that reporting is important for planning ahead.

She reminded those taking part in the workshop that it is important for them to give their continuous collaboration in this dynamic exercise to ensure that Seychelles meets its reporting obligations.

“My ministry is also updating the employment act, the employment policy and the occupational health and safety policy to bring them in line with the conventions,” said Minister Alexander.

She noted that these are indeed great achievements for a small country like Seychelles. “Such progress is indeed encouraging for the government and the ILO.”

The three-day workshop is funded by the ILO and is being run by its labour standards specialist Christina Holmgren.

Seychelles became a member of the ILO in 1977.