Region: Eastern Africa Regional Economic Communities (REC): COMESA · SADC

→ View IIAG Country Statistics

(To be linked)

• COMESA
• SADC

The population of Seychelles is approximately 108,844 (2025 estimate).

The informal economy is relatively small, estimated at:

• 9.7% of GDP (2019)
• Projected to decline to 7.7% by 2043

Informal employment represents approximately 8.69% of total non-agricultural employment.

Seychelles has a hybrid legal system, combining:

• English common law
• French civil law
• Elements of customary law

Seychelles has been a member of the International Labour Organization (ILO) since 1977.

The country implements a Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP) focused on:

• Employment creation
• Social dialogue and tripartism
• Strengthening labour standards

Recent DWCP cycles (e.g. 2019–2023) have contributed to policy development and improved labour protections.

Seychelles provides a comprehensive legal framework for workers’ rights, including:

• Freedom of association
• Protection against discrimination
• Occupational safety and health

However, challenges remain in:

• Enforcement capacity
• Labour inspection resources
• Protection of vulnerable and migrant workers

Social Protection System (Agency for Social Protection – ASP)

Key features:

• Universal non-contributory pension (age 63+)
• Social welfare assistance programmes
• Disability and orphan support schemes

Challenges:

• Fragmentation of benefits
• Skewed allocation toward elderly populations
• Limited targeting of informal workers and youth

Regulatory note: Strong welfare state characteristics, but gaps remain in targeting informal economy vulnerabilities.

Seychelles adopts a regulated formalisation approach, combining licensing, labour regulation, and social protection.

Employment (Conditions of Employment of Domestic Workers) Regulations 2019

• Provides:
  • Working hour limits
  • Mandatory rest periods

Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons Act 2014

• Addresses forced labour indicators:
  • Wage withholding
  • Document confiscation

Seychelles is aligning its framework with ILO Convention No. 189.

Regulatory note: Strong legal framework, but enforcement constraints persist.

Licences Act (Cap. 113)

• Requires vendors to obtain a licence from:
  • Seychelles Licensing Authority (SLA)
  • Small Business Development Agency (SENPA)

Commercial Code (as amended 2021)

• Exempts small traders from formal bookkeeping (Art. 8(2))

Additional requirements:

• Health and planning approvals
• Compliance with food safety and hygiene regulations

Regulatory note: Street vending is formally recognised and regulated, with a balance between informality and compliance.

National Waste Policy (2018–2023) Environment Protection (Waste Services) Regulations 2021

• Govern:
  • Waste disposal
  • Recycling
  • Contractor responsibilities

Institution:

• Landscape and Waste Management Agency (LWMA)

Initiatives include:

• Recycling centres
• Redeem Centres for materials (e.g. PET bottles)

Regulatory note: Structured environmental governance with formalised recycling systems.

Workers’ Rights Act 2019 (as amended by COVID-19 legislation)

• Employers may require remote work with 48 hours’ notice

Employment (Coronavirus Special Leave) Regulations

• Provide:
  • Paid isolation leave
  • Wage protection

Regulatory note: Remote work introduced as a crisis measure but retained in practice.

Regulated through existing labour law frameworks:

• Employment Act 1995
• Conditions of Employment Regulations 1991

Key issue:

• Worker classification (employee vs self-employed)

Implications:

• Employees receive:
  • Leave
  • Overtime
  • Social security

• Self-employed workers typically excluded

Additional framework:

• Data Protection Act 2023
• Cybercrime legislation
• VASP regulations (for digital platforms)

Regulatory note: Evolving framework with strong focus on digital governance and worker classification.

Farm work regulation focuses on:

• Work permits for foreign labour
• Employer-sponsored employment
• Compliance with labour laws

Relevant legislation:

• Agriculture Act
• Pesticide Control Act

Requirements:

• Health insurance
• Repatriation insurance
• Compliance with environmental standards

Regulatory note: Strong regulation of migrant labour in agriculture.

Minerals Act 1962 (as amended)

• Regulates:
  • Prospecting
  • Mining
  • Licensing

Key features:

• State control over mineral resources
• Licensing requirement for all mining

Regulatory note: Artisanal mining without state authorisation is effectively prohibited.

Road Transport Act (Cap. 206) Licences Act (Cap. 113)

Key requirements:

• Licensing of taxi operators
• Minimum operating hours (56 hours/week)
• Vehicle standards and branding

Regulatory bodies:

• Seychelles Licensing Authority (SLA)
• Ministry of Transport

Additional regulations:

• Road Transport (Taxi) Regulations 1982
• Tourism Development Act 2019

Regulatory note: Highly formalised sector with strict compliance requirements.

Seychelles does not have a single dedicated law on informal cross-border trade.

However:

• Regional frameworks:
  • COMESA
  • SADC

• National measures:
  • Anti-Money Laundering (Cross-Border Declaration) Regulations
  • AfCFTA implementation strategy

Recent initiatives include:

• COMESA Small Cross Border Trade (SCBT) project
• Efforts to formalise small-scale trade

Regulatory note: Regional integration plays a key role in shaping regulation.

• IIAG – Seychelles: https://iiag.online/locations/sc.html
• Employment Regulations 2019
• Environment Protection Regulations 2021
• Minerals Act 1962
• Rwanda IIAG dataset reference (comparative)