Experts of the Committee on Migrant Workers Congratulate Seychelles on Model to Combat Human Trafficking, Ask about Benefits Provided to Migrant Workers and the Diaspora of Seychelles

The Committee on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families today concluded its consideration of the second periodic report of Seychelles, with Committee Experts congratulating the State on its model to combat human trafficking, while asking questions about the benefits provided to migrant workers and the diaspora of Seychelles. 

An Expert congratulated Seychelles for having an effective model to combat human trafficking, which had been used to assist countries like Maldives and Burundi in their own human trafficking approaches. 

A Committee Expert asked about the typical working conditions of migrant women who worked in the manufacturing industry?  How did this compare with similar, local workers?  Were the migrant women exposed to discrimination or exploitation at work?  What protection mechanisms were in place to support them?  How could they access basic health services and essential care? Did they have access to maternity leave? What could be done to raise awareness of migrants about their rights? 

An Expert asked how the diaspora of Seychelles was spread across the world? Did members of the diaspora invest in and contribute to the development of the country?  Another Expert asked what support was provided through consulates to citizens of Seychelles abroad?  What support did the Government aim to provide to the diaspora? 

Can Uver, Committee Expert and Country Rapporteur, asked if there was a diaspora policy in place based on the diversity of the nation?  What measures were taken to ensure compatriots in the diaspora developed a Seychelles identity?  Were there structural measures in place for citizens living outside Seychelles who decided to return?

The delegation said foreign workers were granted maternity and annual leave under the Employment Leave Act.  Every two years, migrant workers were given free plane tickets to fly home to enjoy the leave they had accumulated.  Local workers were not given this benefit.  There was a manufacturing company in Seychelles which recruited mostly female workers.  They were well-looked after with nice housing and free transport, which local workers did not receive. 

The delegation said workers from Seychelles were located all over the world.  The diaspora policy was launched to start the identification process of the diaspora and the data gathering process.  Seychelles had 10 diplomatic missions in different regions of the world. When people had fled abroad, they had stayed in touch with their own country and their families.  Seychelles was active in providing their opinions to those back home. Many of the members of the diaspora of Seychelles eventually returned.  Ms. Francourt saluted the diaspora of Seychelles who had given hope to those who remained behind.  Members of the diaspora were not living in isolation or alone; they were very much still integrated within Seychelles. 

Presenting the report, Patricia Francourt, Minister of Employment and Social Affairs of Seychelles and head of the delegation, said Seychelles was a small island developing State with a population that had for the first time reached around 121,000. Non-Seychellois citizens represented 17 per cent of the population.  The growth of the economy was highly reliant on foreign labour.  The Employment Act provided equal protection to migrant and local workers to ensure their fair treatment in the labour market. 

All non-Seychellois workers coming to work were required to hold a valid work permit and this was enforced at border control upon arrival.  For two years consecutively since 2023, Seychelles was ranked tier 1 in the United States report on trafficking in persons, the only country in Africa to receive this ranking.  From 2018 to 2024, there had been six convictions of trafficking in persons cases, which indicated that the process was working.  Seychelles would continue to rely on migrant workers for years to come and was mindful of the challenges faced to meet the requirements of the Convention. 

In concluding remarks, Mr. Corzo Sosa thanked the delegation for allowing the Committee to understand what was happening in the country.  The head of delegation’s approach and the personal stories shared were very much appreciated.  Mr. Corzo Sosa was hopeful that the Government was aware of the issues in Seychelles and was doing everything they could to address them. 

In her closing remarks, Ms. Francourt thanked the Committee for the constructive discussion and appreciated the positive comments on progress that Seychelles had made as a small country in terms of domesticating the Convention. The State also took note of the Committee’s concerns, including that not all services for foreign workers were free of charge.  Seychelles was committed to further implementing the Convention; every migrant worker who came to Seychelles mattered. 

The delegation of Seychelles was comprised of representatives from the Ministry of Employment and Social Affairs; the Ministry of Internal Affairs; the Office of the President; and the Permanent Mission of Seychelles to the United Nations Office in Geneva. 

The webcast of Committee meetings can be found here.  All meeting summaries can be found here. Documents and reports related to the Committee’s thirty-ninth session can be found here.

The Committee will next meet at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, 13 December, to close its thirty-ninth session.

Report

The Committee has before it the second periodic report of Seychelles (CMW/C/SYC/2).

Presentation of Report

PATRICIA FRANCOURT, Minister of Employment and Social Affairs of Seychelles and head of the delegation, said Seychelles was a small island developing State with a population that had for the first time reached around 121,000. Non-Seychellois citizens represented 17 per cent of the population.  Today, there were 55,000 persons formally employed and around 20,000 non-Seychellois workers who had decided to leave their country of origin to work in Seychelles. The growth of the economy was highly reliant on foreign labour. 

The Employment Act provided equal protection to migrant and local workers to ensure their fair treatment in the labour market.  The first National Labour Migration Policy was introduced in 2019 and was guided by four strategic interventions: labour migration governance; protection of the rights of migrant workers; attracting and retaining skills; and fair and effective recruitment. 

One of Seychelle’s fundamental policies was compliance with the national legal pathway for labour migration.  All non-Seychellois workers coming to work were required to hold a valid work permit and this was enforced at border control upon arrival.  This process ensured that migrants coming to Seychelles were legal and that their employer adhered to national legislation related to labour, immigration and health.  In addition, the Government was working on the development of an online business platform to facilitate the recruitment of non-Seychellois workers to improve monitoring of the workers throughout their stay, and to enhance enforcement against any violation to migrant workers’ rights. 

Further to this, the Government had launched the first National Diaspora Policy in July 2024, which was a stepping stone for long-term coordination and connection with Seychellois living abroad.  The Seychelles Diaspora Governance Council would be officially established next year and would be chaired by the President of the Republic. 

For two years consecutively since 2023, Seychelles was ranked tier 1 in the United States report on trafficking in persons, the only country in Africa to receive this ranking.  From 2018 to 2024, there had been six convictions of trafficking in persons cases, which indicated that the process was working.  The occurrence of such cases led to a bilateral labour agreement in 2019 with Bangladesh, to strengthen recruitment procedures and protection of human rights of non-Seychellois workers.  Today there was a technical taskforce with primary responsibility to coordinate all efforts to combat trafficking in persons.  In 2019, regulations were introduced for domestic workers, and in January 2024, Seychelles ratified the International Labour Organization domestic workers convention (no. 189) in recognition of the social value and vulnerability of domestic workers.

The Ministry of Employment and Social Affairs also launched a mandatory induction programme in 2023 entitled “Work in Seychelles”, which aimed to empower non-Seychellois workers and inform them on their rights, daily working and living conditions in Seychelles, as well as report any issues.  The Southern African Migration Management Project (2020-2024) between key United Nations agencies had provided extensive support to Seychelles, including in the areas of capacity building, migration data assessment, and migration profile, among others. 

Seychelles would continue to rely on migrant workers for years to come and was mindful of the challenges faced to meet the requirements of the Convention. The State’s limited human capacity also deterred the full implementation of the Convention.  Moving forward, Seychelles planned to finalise the review of the Employment Act which would be presented to the National Assembly next year. The review of the Immigration Decree, Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons and other legislation that governed the legal framework of the Convention, would also be finalised.  Ms. Francourt thanked the Committee for the invitation to the constructive dialogue, which was very important.

Questions by Committee Experts

CAN UNVER, Committee Expert and Country Rapporteur, said in a way, Seychelles functioned as a gateway to Africa.  The Employment Act contained provisions to prevent discrimination on any grounds, and the Committee appreciated this tenacious standpoint. Could more information be provided on measures to prevent exploitation?  How were the articles of the Convention upheld in domestic courts? There were discriminatory behaviours in access to health care, taxes and family reunification that were experienced by different groups of migrants.  Could more information on this be provided? 

EDGAR CORZO SOSA, Committee Expert and Country Rapporteur, said it was fantastic to see the delegation of Seychelles involved in the dialogue in person, and to see such a robust female component within the delegation. This was a sign of the strong determination the country had in the context of human rights.  Climate change was felt most brutally by small island States. What impact would climate change have for migration in the country?  What were the challenges around climate change in Seychelles?  What was its connection to migration? 

Concerning the 20,000 persons who had come to Seychelles to work, what were the reasons behind them leaving their countries of origin?  How long were work permits issued for?  Could details be shared about the six cases of trafficking? How did the State respond to this reality?  How were the victims treated?  What had been done to raise awareness about the Convention? 

Did civil society and the National Human Rights Institution actively participate in the drafting of the report?  When would legislation on migratory flows be completed?  The report stated that there were 21 foreigners in the country with disabilities.  Were they issued with a disability certificate?  How was this regulated?  Were statistics available regarding the work permits of migrant workers? 

Was it correct that there was the Ombudsman, as well as a separate National Human Rights Institution, responsible for monitoring human rights?  How did the two bodies coexist?  What was the role of the Ombudsman?  Had the Institution been accredited by the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions?  If so, what was its classification?  Was there just one person monitoring the human rights situation?

Another Expert said Seychelles had the highest per capita income in Africa and the highest level of democracy in Africa, meaning the State would be held to a higher level of scrutiny.  What mechanisms were available to allow migrant workers to seek justice?  Was there a labour inspectorate?  What was the system the State observed in terms of family reunification?  Seychelles was in an important location in terms of maritime sea routes.  Were migrant workers employed in the fishing and other sea faring industries?  If so, were they considered as sea farers, or as migrant workers residing in Seychelles? Sea farers had very different regulations and did not fall under the Convention. 

A Committee Expert asked about the typical working conditions of migrant women who worked in the manufacturing industry?  How did this compare with similar, local workers?  Were the migrant women exposed to discrimination or exploitation at work?  What protection mechanisms were in place to support them?  How could they access basic health services and essential care? Did they have access to maternity leave? What could be done to raise awareness of migrants about their rights?  Could migrants organise themselves within a trade union?  How could companies improve the situation of female migrant workers?  Could they benefit from training or development programmes? 

How was climate change affecting the marine and land ecosystems of Seychelles? Did this have an impact on the local populations as well as migrants?  What were the main factors linked to climate change which meant people in Seychelles were envisaging migration?  What was being done to adapt to climate change, while protecting the rights of migrant workers?  How did migratory polices incorporate climate change? 

One Expert asked for more information about “prohibited migrants”? Was there a cost for university education for migrants?  What happened with children who were born to foreign mothers in Seychelles?  How was nationality obtained?  Did these children obtain birth certificates?  What were the requisites for access to health?  Were there different requirements for migrants? What measures were being taken in terms of unfair treatment at work for migrant workers? 

Another Expert said the manufacturing and tourism industries in Seychelles were flourishing.  How was Seychelles’ diaspora spread across the world?  Did they invest in and contribute to the development of the country? 

A Committee Expert asked if there was a particular policy for the integration of migrants who were educators? 

An Expert asked what measures had been taken to incorporate the Convention into national legislation?  Could the Convention be directly invoked in courts?  What was being done to facilitate transfers from nationals outside of the country?  What support was provided through consulates to citizens of Seychelles abroad?  What support did the Government aim to provide to the diaspora? 

Responses by the Delegation 

The delegation thanked the Committee Experts for their comments and questions. In 1977, there was a coup d’état in Seychelles, where the one-party State came into existence.  During this time, the people of Seychelles underwent a lot of atrocities, which created the exodus.  The main reasons people left was due to fear.  This had created a significant skills gap in the country. In 1993, Seychelles became a multi-party State, but the regime was still in place.  In 2018, the Government was asked to set up a truth and reconciliation commission to talk about what happened in Seychelles.  A report was drawn up containing many recommendations. The new Government came in power in 2020 and was trying their best to implement what should have happened a long time ago. 

Seychelles workers were located all over the world.  The diaspora policy was launched to start the identification process of the diaspora and the data gathering process.  Seychelles had 10 diplomatic missions in different regions of the world. 

The Working Seychelles Programme was an important programme for migrant workers in the country.  The ethos of the programme aimed to ensure safety.  Due to the small population, when things went wrong, including with the migrant population, they would be reported.  This was one of the ways the Government obtained information. 

The Working Seychelles Programme provided information on Seychelles for migrant workers, including on the country’s culture, demographics and diverse composition.  Hotline and helpline numbers were provided, and the processes for grievances and contracts were explained.  Everything was translated.  Ministers and high-level delegates travelled to personally speak to the migrant population, which reinforced that they were more than just workers in Seychelles.

The Labour Inspectorate had planned visits throughout the year, and covered specific industries where the majority of the issues arose.  The Inspectors also undertook investigations which arose due to complaints.  Joint visits were also conducted with health authorities.  Migrant workers had access to justice in the same way as any local workers.  They could lodge grievances at any time and had access to representation. 

Foreign workers were granted maternity and annual leave under the Employment Leave Act.  Every two years, migrant workers were given free plane tickets to fly home to enjoy the leave they had accumulated.  Local workers were not given this benefit.  The “13 month pay” was introduced for local workers to assist and support families through the festive season.  The majority of foreign workers received free housing, utilities and transport to work.  These were benefits local workers did not receive. 

For workers under the international trade zone in Seychelles, their protection was provided under a different act from the national act.  There was a manufacturing company in Seychelles which recruited mostly female workers.  They were well-looked after with nice housing and free transport, which local workers did not receive. 

Families of migrant workers had the right to education and health services and were included in the employment contract.  However, the employee could not endorse the families as dependents on their permits.  If the employer could guarantee accommodation for the family, they could then be endorsed on the permit.  In the event a spouse wished to be employed, this request was looked upon favourably. Children of migrant workers did not have automatic claim of Seychelles citizenship.  Automatic citizenship was determined by descent. 

In 2023, there were around 200 people declared “inadmissible” in Seychelles for numerous reasons, including incorrect documents, insufficient funds, or false representations.  Once a prohibited immigrant was served with a notice, they had 48 hours to make a representation to the Minister as to why they should not be considered a prohibited immigrant.  This could be done by the prospective deportee, by a legal representative, or by a member of a labour union.  A National Migration Policy was currently being drafted which was awaiting cabinet approval. 

In 2024, there were six asylum seekers requesting refugee status in Seychelles.  Four applications were rejected, while two were allowed to obtain a work permit and remain in the country. 

As a small island State, Seychelles was doing its utmost to prevent trafficking in persons.  Its main approach to counter trafficking followed international frameworks. Strong legislation was currently in place, which sentenced perpetrators to prison sentences of up to 14 years, or imposed significant fines.  In child trafficking cases, the punishment was harsher.  Medical services, shelters, counselling, legal advice, repatriation, social reintegration and translators were provided to victims of trafficking free of charge, with the Government absorbing the costs.  Maldives and Burundi had requested Seychelles to share best practices when it came to human trafficking. 

The Trafficking in Persons Act 2014 outlined that a victim of trafficking would not be prosecuted for illegal entry into Seychelles.  The National Human Rights Commission did not replace the Ombudsman.  New legislation had been enacted to enhance the functions of the Commission.  The Office of the Ombudsman played a key role in assisting complainants before the courts and legal proceedings.  A first draft of the new Immigration Act had been drawn up which would address issues such as prohibited immigrants.  The Trafficking in Persons Act would be reviewed to ensure it reflected the current realities on the ground. 

Responses by the Delegation 

The delegation said non-governmental organizations were involved in the drafting of the report.  The Government had met with several organizations, including the one most involved in the rights of migrants, and had incorporated its views on the Convention’s implementation.  The Government had launched “the Ease of Doing Business” for the recruitment of migrant workers, which would cater for statistics and reporting.  Nationally, the labour force survey was carried out quarterly, and data on migrant workers was collected.

Seychelles was on the front line when it came to fighting climate change. Most of the country’s businesses and residences were allocated across the coast, with the rising sea levels posing a threat.  Tourism was one of the main pillars of the Seychelles economy.  The rise in sea temperature was affecting livelihoods; many migrant workers who were fishermen were affected.  There were more frequent weather alerts in the country to warn of flooding.  Seychelles also experienced severe drought, leading the Government to create a bigger dam for the population.  A national emergency action plan was being developed involving different stakeholders nationally, to ensure the necessary support could be provided during national disasters, including to migrant workers. 

The Government aimed to promote green jobs, through sectors which employed Seychellois and migrant workers.  It was envisaged that more migrant workers would be employed in this sector, and the necessary measures would be put in place to ensure their protection.  There had also been renewable energy systems implemented at some hotels.  A centralised project on climate change had been developed by the Government, which provided financing for various climate projects.

The Government did not have further details on the types of disabilities that the migrants had as this came from the 2021 Census.  There had been initiatives for the inclusion of this group in the population.  Buildings and pavements were now more accessible for persons with disabilities. 

More than 20,000 work permits had been issued for migrant workers. Currently, there were more than 8,000 construction workers in Seychelles.  The Directorate of Trafficking had assisted the Government of Senegal with establishing an anti-trafficking unit. 

Seychelles enacted specific laws in 2019 related to domestic workers, recognising the vulnerability they were placed in.  The State had ratified the International Labour Organization convention on domestic workers in 2024.  Domestic workers were given certain protections, including accommodation, amenities, and scheduled breaks. 

Fishing was a mainstay of Seychelles and migrant workers were employed in this sector.  The fishing industry was expanding and the number of migrant workers being hired was increasing.  Migrant workers were employed at all levels of the industry, from skippers to fishermen. If the vessel was flying the Seychelles flag, the worker was covered by the Employment Act of Seychelles.  There was one non-governmental organization which was very active in the protection of workers, providing adequate support for workers in the industry and helping them to address any grievances.   

The Seychelles National Human Rights Commission was currently not accredited by the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institution.  The Commission was working with the Ombudsman and was engaged with the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions to further this process.  It was expected that positive feedback in this regard would be provided in due time. It was hoped the Committee would be mindful of how far Seychelles had come in the past four years. 

Questions by Committee Experts

EDGAR CORZO SOSA, Committee Expert and Country Rapporteur, said the previous report had demonstrated goodwill around articles referring to induvial communications of the Convention.  Could a positive response and confirmation on this be given now? The Committee shared concern with the Committee against Torture about those coming from the Chagos Archipelago. The Committee against Torture had also raised concerns about the abuse and discrimination faced by foreign workers and the insufficient living and sanitation conditions they faced.  Was this still the case today? 

There had also been issues raised during the Universal Periodic Review of Seychelles concerning the passing down of nationality to children when the parents were unknown.  Could an update be provided on the situation today?  Which Ministry undertook labour inspections in the international trade zone? Could an update be provided on the alleged impossibility of inspections being undertaken in that zone?  It was important that there was a State vision for the National Human Rights Institution, not a Government vision but a State vision. 

CAN UNVER, Committee Expert and Country Rapporteur, congratulated Seychelles for its concern about the issues affecting migrant workers, despite their small size.  The Seychelles National Migration Policy was adopted in 2019 and played a central role in the management of labour migration.  Did the State party intend to take measures to combat constraints in rights protection?  Was there a diaspora policy in place based on the diversity of the nation?  What measures were taken to ensure compatriots in the diaspora developed a Seychelles identity?  Were there structural measures in place for citizens living outside Seychelles who decided to return?

A Committee Expert congratulated Seychelles for having a delegation dominated by female members; this was not often the case.  How were the needs of victims of trafficking taken into account? How was civil society involved in helping victims?  The Expert congratulated Seychelles for having an effective model to combat human trafficking, which had been used to assist countries like Maldives and Burundi in their own human trafficking approaches.  Could more information be provided about the transmission of social benefits for migrant workers who returned home?  Were they given access to a pension system?  Could their family access this system?  The responsibilities of the National Human Rights Commission and the Ombudsman still needed to be further defined. 

An Expert congratulated Seychelles for the democratic leap the country had taken. It was impressive that Seychelles was taking action towards domestic workers, and had introduced the concept of “employer officers”, who conducted insight visits.  Not many countries did this, and it was hoped the country would continue to monitor this, to ensure it was a success.  Would the State party undertake a gap analysis in regard to migrant workers in the fishing industry?  Was there a scheme in place to monitor the remuneration structures given to migrant workers? 

A Committee Expert asked if Seychelles had an action plan to combat child labour?  The country should be congratulated for ratifying nine of the 10 core International Labour Organization conventions.  Would the State consider ratifying International Labour Organization conventions 97 and 143?  How was the Labour Inspectorate distributed? 

An Expert asked what kinds of needs, in terms of capacity building, the Committee could assist with?  How could the Committee work with Seychelles to make their job easier in implementing the Convention?

Another Expert said Seychelles had been a pioneer in the rights of children. How were children from migrant families and unaccompanied children involved in the administrative and justice procedures?  How were they heard?  Were they protected?  Did they benefit from confidentiality?  What were the different alternatives for migrant minors in conflict with the law? Could information be provided on restorative justice for migrant families?  The Expert said the inclusive policies of Seychelles were a model to be followed. 

A Committee Expert asked what measures had been taken to harmonise legislation with international commitments?  What actions were being carried out to ensure the Convention was known? What actions were being undertaken to tackle the challenge of climate change?  How was Seychelles mobilising action internationally in this area? 

An Expert said a final report had been submitted by the National Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which flagged issues linked to reparations for victims.  What had happened as a result of this?  Had those who had been forced to leave the country been taken into account? 

Another Expert encouraged Seychelles to facilitate the transfer of funds and knowledge from those abroad. 

A Committee Expert said the State was on the right path when it came to their approach to domestic work.  Many countries in West Africa did not have specific laws on domestic workers. 

Responses by the Delegation 

PATRICIA FRANCOURT, Minister of Employment and Social Affairs of Seychelles and head of the delegation, said members of the diaspora of Seychelles were scattered all over the world.  Those in Seychelles who had been imprisoned due to political issues were forced to leave the country when they were released.  Ms. Francourt said she had been one of those people, along with her family, who were forced to leave, and this was her story.  After people had fled abroad, they had stayed in touch with their own country and their families.  Seychelles was active in providing their opinions to those back home. 

Many of the Seychelles diaspora eventually returned.  Ms. Francourt saluted the diaspora of Seychelles who had given hope to those who remained behind.  Members of the diaspora were not living in isolation or alone; they were very much still integrated within Seychelles.  The Truth and Reconciliation Commission process had been carried out and people came from all over the world to tell their stories.  People who came forward were given the right therapeutic support.

The delegation said Seychelles planned to visit Mauritius to learn about the different pension models for migrants, to adapt their proposal for the Pension Fund board, which would eventually be sent to the Cabinet of Ministers. Seychelles did not have any reports of child labour.  The State’s response to child labour was addressed primarily through education.  A gap analysis had been completed on the ratification of the two International Labour Organization conventions, which was currently under review with the International Labour Organization. Seychelles had around 8,000 workers in informal employment, with most of them being male. 

There was a list of projects on climate change which were seeking funding. The country was very active on the international scene in this regard, with a high-level delegation attending the Conference of Parties every year.  Seychelles had won the first green champion award and had a vision for net zero emissions by 2050.  The new app being developed for migrant workers would seek to educate migrant workers on the Convention and its key provisions. 

One of the challenges Seychelles faced was due to drugs.  Due to its location, Seychelles was a pathway for the transportation of drugs to other countries.  The State aimed to help those who were addicted to drugs to come off them and seek formal work.  A drug reduction programme had been successful, with people coming off hardcore drugs onto methadone.  Different types of reskilling programmes had been created to help these people. 

There were 10 labour inspectors on the main island, and nine inspectors covering smaller islands.  The Labour Inspector Division was established to ensure the rights of all workers, including migrant workers.  Labour inspectors received their authority under several acts, including the Employment Act.  This enabled them to have access to any workplaces in the country and the authority to request documents for verification.  A trafficking in persons taskforce was in place, comprised of the police, health workers, and people from government ministries who also conducted unannounced visits, to ensure laws were being properly enforced. 

Local workers complained that non-Seychellois workers earned more than them. Seychelles had a minimum wage in place. Salary disparity would only be allowed due to a difference in qualifications.  There were inspectors in the Seychelles international trade zone who undertook visits to workplaces.  There was not a lot of businesses in that zone, with around 1,500 workers, including 94 per cent of those working under one manufacturing company. Because Seychelles already had a strong framework in place for migrant workers, they had been able to enact a law to protect domestic workers. 

Seychelles had taken several measures to combat trafficking, including establishing the trafficking in persons secretariat in 2021 to assist the National Committee on Trafficking in Persons.  Since its establishment, significant progress had been made in strengthening legal frameworks, improving victims’ services, and increasing awareness. Seychelles would soon open a joint coordination centre at its borders to combat all forms of transnational crime, including trafficking in persons.  All victims of trafficking were given full voice throughout the process.

Per year, the cost of a work permit was equivalent to around 500 United States Dollars.  However, certain sectors, including the fisheries and agricultural sectors, enjoyed a 75 per cent work permit concession.  All children born in Seychelles had to be registered in the country, irrespective of their immigration status.  Birth registration was carried out automatically at the hospital, with the parents given 30 days to formalise the registration of the birth. 

Concluding Remarks

EDGAR CORZO SOSA, Committee Expert and Country Rapporteur, thanked the delegation for allowing the Committee to understand what was happening in the country.  The head of delegation’s approach and personal stories shared were very much appreciated.  Mr. Corzo Sosa was hopeful that the Government was aware of the issues in Seychelles and was doing everything they could to address them.  He wished the delegation a safe journey home. 

CAN UNVER, Committee Expert and Country Rapporteur, thanked the delegation for the constructive and open-hearted dialogue.  The Committee would be happy to support Seychelles in their future endeavours.  Mr. Unver reiterated thanks for Seychelle’s implementation of the Convention. 

PATRICIA FRANCOURT, Minister of Employment and Social Affairs of Seychelles and head of the delegation, thanked the Committee for the constructive discussion and appreciated the positive comments on progress that Seychelles had made as a small country in terms of domesticating the Convention. The State also took note of the Committee’s concerns, including that not all services for foreign workers were free of charge.  One of the main economic drivers of Seychelles was tourism, and climate change put the country’s economy in a vulnerable position.  It was not only a migration issue but it impacted the livelihood of the whole country.  Seychelles was committed to further implementing the Convention; every migrant worker who came to Seychelles mattered.  Seychelles was grateful for the Committee’s support.

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