The following article appeared in l’Echo des Iles, the mouthpiece of the Catholic Church in Seychelles, in its issue of July 1992, which is quite instructive as a historical throw back. It has been reproduced in this years July issue of the newspaper. It is interesting just how “plus ça change-plus-c’est la meme chose”.

Pensions and gratuities for big shots only.

The present government is particularly proud of the social security system it set up, more especially the pension for the elderly.  This, contributed by all workers, allows our elderly to live a bit more comfortably.  It, however, remains very quiet about the fact that pensions and gratuities for all government workers have been reduced to nil since December 1978.  Except for ministers and top government officials.

Yes, after suppressing all incentives in line with socialist policy “nou tou nou egal”, members of the cabinet quietly re-introduced fat gratuities and other privileges for themselves.

Ministers whose incomes are presently in excess of R. 200,000 a year, received an annual gratuity of 25% of gross emoluments drawn during the year.  Some other senior civil servants were also awarded a gratuity as an inducement to stay on in government employment.  There are different categories of contracts, mostly on a two-year basis.  Mostly they received five to 15 percent of their salaries.  To qualify for a gratuity, a government employee must be on EP 48, that is around R 5,000 monthly.

WORKERS EARNING LESS DON’T GET ANY GRATUITY

Since there is no inducement, many civil servants leave and are replaced by foreigners who earn more!

When it was introduced in January 1979, civil servants were told that it was not fare that some “Established staff” were entitled to some privileges, such as overseas leave, for which others, “Unestablished staff” did not qualify.  This was true and the government levelled them all to the Social Security system.  But the big question is:  Why not apply the same justice for everybody?

In SPDF, it is even possible to secure a pension after a few years service.  This was the “good fortune” of several army majors who left the force in 1986.  The government press announced “they had retired”.

This form of social justice is indeed shameful.

Editor’s note: We agree with the above and are puzzled as to the reasons why some expats earn so much. For instance, an Australian earning R80,000 per month and some Europeans more than R40,000.  ‘Sesel i sanble pour etranze.’

July 06, 2007
Copyright 2007: Seychelles Weekly, Victoria, Mahe, Seychelles