Discussions have begun on a proposed flexible work arrangement in Seychelles, involving the Ministry of Employment and all relevant partners ahead of a forthcoming study. Employment Minister Patricia Francourt emphasized during a recent meeting that, because flexible working is of national interest, “we need all your input so that we can have a very good overview of the topics that we need to talk about, points to be considered before we go in this direction.” She noted that while there is clear demand for flexible hours in Seychelles, implementation cannot happen overnight. “It needs to be well prepared and should take into consideration the needs of every employer considering this route. We know that flexible working arrangements will bring many benefits, especially for parents and other professionals,” Francourt explained.
Representatives from various ministries and public‑sector institutions attended the meeting. Flexible work arrangements refer to alternatives to the traditional workday and week, and the options discussed included staggered hours, teleworking, compressed work weeks, time‑saving accounts, hours‑averaging schemes, fixed‑time arrangements, and work‑sharing. Susan Morel, chief policy analyst from the Employment Department, said local partners were briefed on these different types so organisations can identify which concept best suits them, understand the challenges, and receive recommendations. “The model adopted will depend on the nature of the job and the business. At the Department of Employment, we need to ensure that any approach an organisation takes also protects workers. We must take these factors into account,” Morel added.
Moving forward, the International Labour Organization (ILO) will assist Seychelles in conducting a study to determine which flexible work arrangements are most suitable for implementation. The study is expected to begin by mid‑year, with support from an international expert. The government’s intention to adopt flexible working hours was first announced during the presentation of the 2021 budget to the National Assembly in February 2020 by Finance, Economic Planning and Trade Minister Naadir Hassan. While Hassan agreed that the move would improve work‑life balance, he acknowledged that it would also present challenges. Flexible hours gained prominence during the COVID‑19 pandemic, when movement restrictions forced workplaces to adopt alternative arrangements. On 12 May 2021, the Cabinet of Ministers initiated discussions on proposals to implement flexible working arrangements across government.
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