President Wavel Ramkalawan, chaired a scheduled meeting of the Cabinet yesterday Wednesday 16th July, in which a number of legal and policy memoranda were approved.
Cabinet approved the drafting of a new Medical and Dental Practitioners Act to replace the outdated 1994 legislation, in order to modernise the regulatory framework governing the medical and dental professions. The new law will establish a strengthened Medical and Dental Council with enhanced licensing, monitoring, and enforcement powers, ensure alignment with international standards, and introduce clearer provisions for accountability, continuous professional development, and disciplinary procedures.
Cabinet approved the Youth at Risk Action Plan (You RISE), a comprehensive, multi-sectoral strategy developed with the World Bank to address challenges facing vulnerable youth, including school dropout, unemployment, substance abuse, and teenage pregnancy. The plan centres on prevention, early intervention, and community-based support, structured around three pillars: integrated school-based services, skills development for employability, and improved coordination among stakeholders. Cabinet endorsed the establishment of a cross-sectoral Technical Working Group to oversee implementation and called for alignment of existing programs and budgets with the Action Plan to ensure a unified, evidence-based national response.
Cabinet approved the revised timeline for the phasing out of cheques for non-individuals, whereby banks and the Seychelles Credit Union (SCU) will discontinue issuing cheque books to non-individuals effective 1st September 2026 and cease accepting cheques as of 1st January 2027, while the Government will stop accepting cheques as of 1st December 2026. Cabinet also endorsed the implementation of a targeted awareness campaign and an action plan to address market deficiencies, such as digital service costs, network connectivity, and the need for cash flow alternatives through collaboration between the Central Bank, Ministry of Finance, Seychelles Bankers Association, and Seychelles Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Cabinet approved the proposal by the Ministry of Employment and Social Affairs to extend the ‘My First Job’ Scheme to include pre-service University graduates, effective in 2026. Under the revised scheme, eligible graduates will receive a salary refund of 40% capped at SR8,000, for a period of six months. The extension excludes Medical and Education graduates who are directly recruited by their respective Ministries.
Relevant Ministries will provide details.