President Wavel Ramkalawan chaired a scheduled meeting of the Cabinet today, Wednesday 28th July, at which a number of legal and policy memoranda were considered.

Cabinet approved amendments to the income and non-monetary tax levied on component parts of the private and voluntary pensions.  The amendments will allow for private pension contributions already made by employers, not to be taxed.   However, any new voluntary pension  contributions made for the employee by the employer would be tax deductible at the point of payment into the relevant pension fund by the employer. 

Cabinet also approved for the repeal of the current Town and Country Planning Act (1972) and for its replacement by the new Physical Planning Act as reviewed.

Cabinet approved the Civil Status (Amendment) Bill, 2021.  The amendment relates to the recording of the death of Seychellois nationals which happens overseas as well as registration of babies born to Seychellois nationals overseas who are not issued with a birth certificate in the country of birth.

Cabinet approved for the Annual Leave regulations to be amended in order to allow employers to oblige their employees to take leave in cases where they have been declared as close contacts of a COVID 19 positive person.  The Special Leave provision would remain in place for isolation purposes only, where the employee has tested positive for COVID-19.

Further details to the media will be provided by the relevant Ministry.