This research addresses the influence of public sector unions in the Indian Ocean and the trends that are likely to influence them in their engagement at the workplace. A few key issues have been developed to understand the influence of public trade unions in the Indian Ocean Islands. They are bargaining power, innovation, employee protection and employee engagement. Bargaining power of public trade unions in the Indian Ocean do vary. In settled economies like Mauritius and the Seychelles, public unions do fight for their employee rights but this remains stronger in Comoros and Madagascar due to their prevailing economic situation. Innovation in public union organisations remain broadly similar in all nations under the survey like the use of information technology, flexible working hours and work-life balance. Regarding employee protection, scores were moderate although all island state constitutions had legislations favouring them while their application differed. Employee engagement was considered as moderate in most island states considered from the point of employees at board level and in key decisions while public unions timidly engaged women in prominent positions in public unions.