July 7, 2006

Troukler

THEY DESERVE OUR SUPPORT!

“Wavel and Annette have promised social justice, freedom and the rule of law, where no one individual is above anyone else – a society where respect will reign and victimisation will be eradicated. The weaker will be looked after and protected by society, where all able men and women will be expected to work for a decent living. The Seychellois will not be treated as second class citizens in their own country. Despite our diverse political views, religion beliefs and ethnic backgrounds, they have promised to unite the people of Seychelles. They deserve our support; to deny them of it will mean denying a people’s thirst for freedom and equality.” (Le Nouveau Seychelles Weekly – Vol. 5 –Issue No. 22 – June 2006).

EQUALITY OF THE SEXES

An article which appeared in the Seychelles Nation newspaper of July 6, 2006 deserves further analysis. The article was entitled “Awards recognise public service contribution”. The article made reference to the newly instituted Annual Public Service Awards Scheme. This Award scheme should apply to all civil servants (male & female alike), on an equal basis but the fact that the SPPF government had chosen to hold the Award to mark international woman’s day and award the only two available prizes to two women in a national public service award scheme, is a typical reflection of its concern with simple propaganda and lack of genuine concern with the issues of equality of opportunity and of the sexes.

The Annual Award should have been open to all civil servants on an equal basis. The selection should have been based on a system of nomination from the general public, who are indeed best placed to identify those civil servants who have shown the greatest commitment to serving the public. This would be further supported by internal public service checks as to the work ethic of the nominated individuals. Let’s be open, frank and honest about how the public Services are delivered and genuinely put in place the schemes in a manner most likely to achieve an honest, equality based result.