Salary Disparities and Staff Shortages Exposed During Labour Ministry Visit to International School Seychelles
VICTORIA, Seychelles — The Minister for Employment and Human Resource Planning, Idith Alexander, visited the International School Seychelles in Mont Fleuri as part of her ongoing series of workplace inspections, uncovering a range of staff welfare concerns including salary disparities between local and expatriate workers, an unfair appraisal system, poor communication with management, staff shortages, and a lack of regular staff meetings. Minister Alexander was accompanied by the Minister for Education and Human Resource Development, David Pierre, whose ministry oversees the delivery of quality educational services across the country. The school has recently faced numerous complaints regarding staff welfare.
The labour challenges identified at the International School Seychelles are a matter of broader public concern because they touch on the treatment of workers within institutions that serve the Seychellois community and employ both local and foreign nationals. Salary disparities between local and expatriate staff in the same workplace have the potential to undermine morale, productivity, and the retention of qualified Seychellois professionals. The findings also highlight the need for private educational institutions operating in Seychelles to comply fully with national labour laws and uphold the same standards required of public sector employers.
During the visit, the ministerial delegation first met with teaching and non-teaching staff, who voiced several concerns affecting their performance, according to the Ministry of Employment. Key issues raised included salary disparities between local and expatriate workers, a perceived unfair appraisal system, poor communication with management, staff shortages, and the lack of regular staff meetings. Employees also highlighted the need for more training opportunities and greater recognition of teachers in private schools at the national level. Minister Alexander reminded staff of the importance of thoroughly reviewing employment contracts before signing, to fully understand conditions, rights, responsibilities, and duties rather than focusing solely on salary.
Following the staff meeting, the ministers held discussions with the school management and board members to address the concerns raised and explore possible solutions. Minister Alexander emphasised that open dialogue with both employees and employers guides the ministry in formulating policies to address employment-related issues at the national level. She added that such visits are crucial in helping organisations implement measures that uphold labour laws. The school management and board were expected to consider the feedback and develop a concrete plan of action in response.
The ministerial workplace inspection programme reflects the government commitment to ensuring that labour standards are applied consistently across all sectors, including private and international institutions. Workers at private schools occupy a particularly vulnerable position in that they may lack the protection of public sector employment frameworks while still serving a critical public function. The findings from the International School Seychelles are likely to inform wider discussions about minimum standards for private school employment contracts and the mechanisms available to staff who wish to raise grievances.
Minister Alexander confirmed that workplace visits will continue across the country as the ministry works to strengthen compliance with Seychelles labour law in all sectors.
