Letter to the Editor-Localisation of posts |23 October 2012

It is practised in all countries of the world – both in the industrialised and developing countries – not least in the neighbouring countries of Mauritius, where countless expatriates are employed in the textile industry, and in the Maldives where the tourism industry is driven by foreign labour.

It is generally accepted that every Seychellois who wishes to work here can find suitable employment. Employers, both in the private and public sector, prefer to employ Seychellois for a number of reasons, not least because the labour costs are far less and because we are good workers.  In a small country, though, the pool of skills is limited, hence the necessity to recruit from overseas when certain specific skills and qualifications are required. Also, there is a significant number of Seychellois who shun what they consider to be “menial” jobs. What choice, therefore, does the building contractor or the farmer have other than to recruit labour from overseas?

It is also worth noting that the mobility and migration of highly-skilled workers (including nurses, as pointed out in your article) happen for many reasons  - financial incentives topping the scale. In many instances, neither government nor the private sector are able to match the incentives on offer from abroad, hence the migration to “greener pastures”. Again, this is not something which is limited to Seychelles.

Last but not least, it would be worth enquiring of the owner of “Rising Sun” how many expatriates he employs in his conglomerate of companies, including on his farm. Why is the good doctor employing so many expatriates and what are his plans for localising the posts that they are holding?

As the Rising Sun puts it: “the question of localisation of posts is rather complex and needs more than just a quick question in the National Assembly to clear it up”!!
 
James Belmont