Establish your presence globally with Neeyamo as we help you go beyond borders to manage your international payroll and hire new talent in Seychelles
Overview
Seychelles is located in the Indian Ocean, northeast of Madagascar. It's an idyllic destination renowned for its pristine beaches, turquoise waters, lush rainforests, and unique granite rock formations. Seychelles is more specifically known for having the world's largest population of giant tortoises, with over 150,000 living on the Aldabra Atoll. Seychelles is also home to a talented and diverse workforce.
Do your organization's expansion plans require hiring employees in Seychelles? Do you lack a physical entity in the country – a key requisite to hire local talent? Neeyamo – one of the top Global payroll providers, assists organizations worldwide with onboarding and managing employees in Seychelles- processing payroll, managing local compliance requirements, benefits, and more.
Facts And Stats
Capital
Victoria
Currency
Seychellois rupee (SCR)
Official Language
English, French, Seychellois Creole
Fiscal Year
1 January to 31 December
Date Format
DD/MM/YYYY
Country Calling Code
+248
Other Languages
French-based creole l
Time Zone
Central Standard Time (GMT + 4)
Global Payroll
Overview
Handling payroll for a widespread workforce can pose as a major challenge for any firm. The added complication of compliance can make things worse and drastically effect the time and efforts that can be used in other equally important aspects of an organization's development.
Over the years, Neeyamo has observed these complexities and strived to provide a global payroll solution through a single technology platform, Neeyamo Payroll.
Payroll Taxes
Payroll tax is the percentage amount retained from an employee's salary and paid to the government to invest in the welfare of the general population.
Employee Taxes
Social Security Contribution:
Employee contribution: 3% of salary to SNPF.
The income tax rate for individuals in Seychelles in 2023 is 15%
|
Taxable income (SCR) – Citizens |
Rate |
|
0 – 8555.50 |
0% |
|
8555.51 – 10 000 |
15% |
|
10000.01 to 83 000 |
20% |
|
Above 83 000 |
30% |
|
Non-monetary benefits |
20% |
Employer Taxes
Employer Contribution:
Social Security Contributions: 10%
(10% of salary paid to the Seychelles National Provident Fund (SNPF))
Income and Non-Monetary Benefits Tax (INMBT): 15% on employee emoluments and non-monetary benefits.
Payroll Cycle
Overview
Undoubtedly, payroll is a critical aspect of any organization. The Pay cycle is a notable feature of it that provides a sense of accountability for an employee to be paid consistently for their work.
Frequency
Seychelles’s Payroll Frequency is Monthly.
13th Month Cycle
Yes, There is a mandatory obligation to provide a 13th-month salary, which is equivalent to one month's salary. This payment is applicable exclusively to nationals. While some employers may choose to offer a discretionary 14th-month payment, it is not obligatory.
Global Work
Overview
What is an Employer of Record?
An Employer of Record service provider helps you get rid of the hassle of handling the complexities that come with setting up a new employee in remote locations. They act as legal employers, facilitate salary payments, and handle everything from health insurance. payroll taxes, and employee benefits to comply with local tax laws and regulations.
This ensures that the client company can focus on the employee’s everyday tasks safely in the knowledge that they have a cost-effective solution as they continue their global expansion.
HR Mandates and Practices
Minimum Wage
Minimum wage rate is SR 26.70 per hour for all workers
Overtime in Seychelles
Employees can work up to 60 hours per month or an additional 15 hours per week as overtime. The compensation for overtime is as follows:
For non-shift workers or watchmen:
- 1 ½ hours' pay for every hour worked on a weekday.
- 2 hours' pay for every hour worked on a holiday.
Data Retention Policy
The Data Protection Act (DPA) of Seychelles does not specify a mandatory retention period for employee information. However, it does emphasize that personal data should not be kept longer than is necessary for the purpose or purposes for which it was collected. The DPA 2003 provides principles for data protection, including that personal data shall be accurate and, where necessary, kept up to date, and shall not be kept for longer than is necessary for the purpose or purposes.
Hiring and Onboarding Requirements
Hiring
The hiring process and laws for private sector employees in Seychelles are governed by the Employment Act 1995, as amended, and other relevant regulations. A written contract in English or Creole (preferred) is mandatory. It should specify salary, benefits, working hours, leave entitlements, and termination clauses.
Employers cannot discriminate based on race, gender, religion, nationality, or other protected grounds. Local candidates are generally preferred for employment.
Onboarding
The specific onboarding documents required for employees in Seychelles may vary depending on the employer and the industry. However, some of the most common onboarding documents include:
- Passport and valid visa (if applicable)
- Work permit
- Educational certificates and qualifications
- Professional licenses or certifications (if applicable)
- Birth certificate
- Marriage certificate (if applicable)
- Medical certificate
- Bank account details (for salary payment)
- Tax Identification Number (TIN)
Probation
Employee Probation Period:
An employer shall not employ a worker on probation—except under a contract of continuous employment:
Probationary period cannot exceed 6 months.
Leave
Public Holidays for 2024
There are 11 public holidays
- January 1: New Year's Day
- January 2: New Year Holiday
- March 29: Good Friday
- April 1: Easter Monday
- May 1: Labour Day
- May 30: Corpus Christi
- June 18: Constitution Day
- June 29: Independence (National) Day
- August 15: Assumption Day
- November 1: All Saints' Day
- December 8: Sun Immaculate Conception
- December 9: Immaculate Conception day
- December 25: Christmas Day
Annual Leave
Minimum entitlement 21 days per year for full-time employees.
Maternity Leave
Employees are entitled to 16 weeks of paid maternity leave, of which not less than 12 weeks shall be taken after the date of confinement.
Sick Leave
Employees are entitled to 21 days of paid sick leave. If a worker is confined to a hospital, similar institution, or home for a continuous period extending beyond the initially granted 21 days of paid sick leave, they are entitled to an additional maximum of 30 days of paid sick leave during that continuous period. Furthermore, after exhausting the paid sick leave, the worker can avail an aggregate maximum of 60 days of unpaid sick leave.
Compassionate Leave
Workers are allowed four days of compassionate leave for the loss of a close relative or other compassionate reasons. If this leave exceeds four days a year, the excess can be unpaid or deducted from their annual leave, depending on the employer's decision.
Paternity Leave
A male worker in Seychelles, whether under a continuous employment contract, fixed-term contract, or part-time arrangement, is entitled to 10 consecutive working days of paid paternity leave.
Education Leave
Up to 6 months with full pay for approved training programs.
Termination
Notice Period
The employer must give the following notice:
- Casual worker: one day
- Worker on probation: seven days
- Any other Seychellois worker: one month’s notice
Non-Seychellois worker who is also not a casual worker and not on probation: term as specified in the employment contract, or if none specified, one month’s notice
Severance Pay
Severance in Seychelles
- Severance pay is not mandatory in Seychelles.
- If it is mentioned in contracts, then Severance pay may be due to the employee and depends upon the termination method.
Visa
Overview
To work in Seychelles, foreign individuals must obtain a Gainful Occupation Permit (GOP or work permit). Employers must secure an approval certificate for prospective employees from the Ministry of Immigration and Civil Status and submit GOP applications to the Immigration Office. Additionally, within one month of arrival, employees must meet further requirements, including obtaining a bank guarantee or security bond from a Seychelles bank, with the amount varying based on the employee's country of origin.
Key Documents Required:
- Valid Passport
- Employment Contract
- Qualifications
- Financial Proof
- Health Insurance
Employee Background Checks
Legal and Background Checks
Below are the types of background checks that are commonly observed in Seychelles:
- Education verification: Contacting educational institutions to confirm degrees and qualifications.
- Employment verification: Contacting previous employers to verify employment history and performance.
- Financial checks: Investigating credit history and bankruptcy records.
- Reference checks: Contacting personal and professional references.
Last updated on January 03, 2024.
If you have any queries or suggestions, reach out to us at irene.jones@neeyamo.com
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