Type of Intervention: Other Announcement
Sectors Involved: Local Government, Private Sector and Businesses, Social Services, Employment
Intervention Categories: Planning and strategy; Creating and using advisory groups or committees
Level of Jurisdiction: National
Lead People/Agency: Ministry of Employment, Immigration and Civil Status, the Ministry of Finance, Trade, Investment and Economic Planning and the Seychelles Employee Transition Scheme (SETS)
Overview: On 6 July, President chaired a meeting with officials from the Ministry of Employment, Immigration and Civil Status, the Ministry of Finance, Trade, Investment and Economic Planning and the Seychelles Employee Transition Scheme (SETS) at State House.
The Head of SETS, informed the meeting that SETS has received a total of 177 applicants to date, whereby 52 have already secured an employment opportunity. The remaining 125 people have registered with the company and are following an induction programme. According to SETS has already identified 300 potential placements so far and highlighted the positive response of the private sector to partner with the scheme.
The Department of Employment gave an update on the applications for redundancies that have been received. From March to June 2020, the Department has received 100 applications from various sectors from which 634 Seychellois are going to be made redundant. 33 applications have been approved so far, where 228 Seychellois employees have been made redundant. The posts of 392 expatriates have also been made redundant. The Department of Finance also shared the ongoing implementation of the Financial Assistance for Job Retention programme (FA4JR).
The meeting highlighted the system put in place by Government to ensure there is limited disruption to employee welfare and that any liabilities to the employee as per the existing law are settled by employers prior to redundancy.
On 7 July, President chaired another consultative session at State House, which are being held weekly with representatives of government and private sector. This is in line with a collaborative approach to the COVID-19 economic response.During the session, the Chairperson of the Seychelles Chamber of Commerce (SCCI), presented the Recovery and Prosperity Plan, a proposal championing a private public partnership to re-build, re-energise and re-think the economy. On behalf of government, President welcomed the initiative put forward by the SCCI and pledged government’s full support to further promote future sustainable economic growth in Seychelles.
The Principal Secretary for finance, also briefed those present on a new rapid Interest Free Loan Scheme which will help ensure Micro and Small Businesses can obtain financing required to survive the economic impact of the COVID-19 crisis. This new loan facility is in addition to the Central Bank Loan Scheme, tax deferrals, and job retention schemes, which are already assisting businesses in the country. More information on the new loan schemes will be provided later this week.
Full details here: http://www.statehouse.gov.sc/news/4891/president-faure-receives-update-on-response-measures-to-redundancies
Other links: 1
Type of Justification: Advice of INTERNAL government advisory committee or group
Source of Evidence or Justification: National – government