Indian Ocean Tuna factory -Workers thanked for supporting fisheries |01 October 2012

 
Minister Sinon addressing the guests and IOT staff

Mr Sinon did so at a special reception hosted by the IOT at Coral Strand hotel on Saturday when 195 of the factory’s workers got long service awards in a function attended by among others the Labour and Human Resources Development Minister Idith Alexander.

Appreciating their work on behalf of every Seychellois, he commended local workers, many of whom have been with the factory  for long – some from as far back as 1987 – and those from other countries, whom he said have made special efforts to adapt to local conditions.

IOT’s general manager Joram Madnack welcomed the government’s appreciation of the workers’ dedication to the company and the fishing industry.

He said the IOT has 2,324 staff, three quarters of whom have been with the company for over 10 years.

“These statistics also show the commitment of our workers,” he said, noting the many areas the company has invested in to make the factory more comfortable, including installation of air conditioning systems in the fish cleaning area.

“We’ve also installed new extraction units in the labeling and casing areas and we will continue to invest,” said Mr Madnack.

“We will continue to maintain our commitment to the compensation agreed in 2006,” he said, outlining other incentives for workers that the company is introducing, which we will publish in a special full colour feature on Saturday.

Paying tribute to the awardees, IOT’s human resources manager Helda Port-Louis said “seeing such a large group of people continuing to work for the company shows there are many people here as well as from other parts of the world who are enthusiastic to work for the IOT”, adding their continued service to the company is a big encouragement.

Employee Vicky Radegonde thanked the IOT management “for their good cooperation and understanding”.

She expressed confidence that despite occasional challenges, “with continued good communication, teamwork and understanding we will go on striving for our goals and eventually say with a smile ‘we have made it’”.

She noted a number of her colleagues have recently been to Thailand on a four-week working visit.

Her colleague Appolinaire Rahajarivoarinelina thanked the guests for celebrating their achievements with them, the IOT management for listening to them, fellow workers for their teamwork, supervisors for their understanding and Seychellois for welcoming those of them from other countries.
“Thank you God, and thank you all,” she said.