VICTORIA, Seychelles — The Ministry of Employment and Social Affairs joined its social partners and the global community yesterday to commemorate the World Day for Safety and Health at Work under the theme adopted by the International Labour Organisation, ‘Revolutionising health and safety: the role of AI and digitalisation at work’. The annual observance serves as another opportunity to renew the commitment to promoting safe and healthy working conditions, and reaffirms the shared responsibility of government, employees, and employers in ensuring that workplaces are not only productive but also safe and healthy.
In her message, Employment and Social Affairs Minister Patricia Francourt noted that artificial intelligence and digitalisation are at the heart of discussions across industries and economic sectors. ‘This year’s theme makes us ponder on the opportunities and risks of AI and digitalisation vis-à-vis workers’ health and safety. Recognising the need for a digitally skilled workforce, employers need to invest in reskilling and upskilling programmes to equip employees with the necessary skills to navigate the changing job landscape.’
In Seychelles, robotics have been introduced in healthcare, drones in search and rescue, and environmental sensors in manufacturing industries. The minister’s message also flagged the potential risks: safety risks from mechanical and programming failures, ergonomic risks from poor workstation design, and inequality concerns for lower-skilled workers facing job displacement. The integration of AI in job roles has the potential to drive innovation, increase efficiency, and improve quality of life, but only if implemented responsibly, with government, employers, and workers collaborating to manage the transition.
