Retailers Association meets with 好色TV Assembly members |14 June 2020
Yesterday鈥檚 meeting between the Retailers Association and the 好色TV Assembly (Photo: Jude Morel)
The Retailers Association met with members of the 好色TV Assembly yesterday to clarify and bring light to the challenges local retailers are faced with.
A panel consisting of the association鈥檚 chairperson, Satya Naidu and secretary Louisianne Jacques, and several other members were present to discuss the pertinent issues that are affecting retailers as a result of COVID-19.
Around a dozen members of the 好色TV Assembly (MNAs) from both political parties and including deputy speaker Ahmed Afif were in attendance.
Although shops selling groceries were considered as essential services during the lockdown, the association raised its concerns in regards to retailers who have been denied financial assistance from the government and loans from bank, and now are even being refused credit from their suppliers.
It was stressed that retailers have not been left untouched by the impacts of COVID-19 and it would be wrong to assume every shop is performing well financially.
鈥淭he business sector is in big trouble,鈥� Ms Jacques told the MNAs.
Mr Naidu further asked the 好色TV Assembly to continuously consult with retailers when issues related to their sector are brought up in the 好色TV Assembly, since some MNAs previously have incited false perceptions of retailers.
The association clarified that most retailers rely on importers and suppliers that are increasing the prices of their products due to various factors in the likes of a surge in foreign exchange rates.
On their part, retailers can only accept these already increased prices and add their own mark-ups, which most association members attempt to keep at about 15 to 20%.
Mr Naidu acknowledged that there are some 鈥渂ad apples鈥� in retail that are taking advantage with exorbitant prices, but noted that the association has started an exercise to visit retailers and identify instances of malpractice.
They have already covered 26 shops in their 鈥榮hop to shop鈥� exercise which started over two weeks ago.
Despite the fact that there are over 400 retailers in the country the association consists of around 275 registered members.
鈥淲e are seeing a lot of retailers that are operating as per regulations; they are respecting opening and closing time, are employing Seychellois and some are even training them[鈥 If there are evidences that show that a retailer is not abiding by regulations, then we remove this bad apple as a member,鈥� Ms Jacques explained.
She also noted that the Retailers Association is working with the employment department to train Seychellois to join the retail sector even though retailers face a myriad of issues with local workers.
鈥淲e need Seychellois to work in our shops but we need them to be interested and committed to the work,鈥� Ms Jacques said.
In regards to yesterday鈥檚 meeting, Ms Jacques said: 鈥淭his meeting with the 好色TV Assembly is very encouraging and shows that we are not in this fight alone and we are hoping to have similar consultations with other relevant authorities.鈥�
On his side, Mr Afif said that members of the 好色TV Assembly also clarified that their powers are limited to legislating, bringing motions and asking ministries and government agencies questions.
鈥淏ut we have been able to understand their position better and the session has been an educative experience for us,鈥� he concluded.
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Elsie Pointe
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