Forum SG says Vanuatu position on self-determination issue admirable

Daily Post – Vanuatu has always been very principled in its approach to West Papua, in the issue of self-determination of any country, particularly in our own region, Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General, Dame Meg Taylor said.

She says the approach by Vanuatu is a very admirable position to take.

Dame Taylor says some of the countries don’t come out as strongly as Vanuatu.

“There are countries that have different views on this but they have come together with a collective decision.

“In all their communiques they (Forum Leaders) have expressed their concerns about human rights issues until last year.

“Last year they instructed the secretariat to keep a more proactive engagement with Indonesia,” she stated in an interview with Kizzy Kalsakau from 96 Buzz FM.

Dame Taylor said last year Prime Minister O’neil addressed the University of the South Pacific and raised human rights issue and has been supportive of UN Human Rights Commission Mission to go into West Papua.

“I myself as SG met with Human Rights Commissioner last year when they came through the Pacific after they visited Jakarta, we raised the issue as well that, that is what we want to see.

“From the Secretariat itself what we have done over the last two years is we’ve gone into West Papua and Papua provinces to observe the elections there to see indigenous West Papuan people participate in those processes.

“Our reports are written and are sent out to member states.

“The situation of West Papua in the last couple of weeks has been desperate.

“People have died. People from Java and other provinces but most of all people of Melanesian decent, there have been tragedies there.

“I understand Indonesian Government has asked for the UN Mission to go in.

“Pacific countries should be on that (UN) mission,” Dame Taylor said.

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New Commissioner Vows to Tackle Corruption

The new Labour Commissioner, Ms Murielle Meltenoven, has reassured the people of Vanuatu and Government that no corruption will be tolerated in her office.

She told Kizzy Kalsakau from 96 Buzz FM that any Labour officers conducting themselves in an improper manner will face disciplinary measures under the Public Service Act. 

Meltenoven says she will not hesitate to discipline any officers that have been conducting themselves in such improper manner.

“I want to regain the confidence of the people that we are here to assist people with employment issues and we are here to defend the welfare of the people to make sure they get access to the entitlements that the Labour laws provide for.

“I will try my best to make sure all the staff comply with the generally accepted behavior, the provisions of the Public Service Act and the ILO (International Labour Organization) standards,” she said.

Ms Meltenoven is the first female to take up the post of Labour Commissioner. 

She is one of the seven female directors appointed recently by the Public Service Commission.

The Commissioner said a retreat will be held next week to discuss and plan to conduct compliance checks in relation to the labour laws that her office implements.

In terms of seasonal work under the Recognized Seasonal Employer scheme in New Zealand, Seasonal Workers Programme and Pacific Labour Scheme in Australia, the Commissioner says she wants to see a proper mechanism in place to address the behavior and conduct of workers.

“For the RSE and SWP I must admit that at the moment the department does not possess all the complaints against the workers,” she said.

“How we can generate complaints, how we can address the discipline procedure for a worker that has been misbehaving in the scheme.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been engaging a consultant to draft a labour mobility policy framework.

“The policy will shape the future of Vanuatu in the labour mobility.

“The policy will provide recommendations on how we want to see Vanuatu in the next 10 to 15 years in labour mobility.”

This includes assistance to workers on how to invest their income when they return to Vanuatu.

She said a code of conduct for seasonal workers will be worked on for them to sign before they go overseas.

The Commissioner said the seasonal work programmes have brought good returns for Vanuatu as latest figures show Vanuatu gaining around Vt2 billion according to figures for 2016 to 2018.

In terms of Pacific Labour Scheme, Ms Meltenoven revealed that employers from Hayman Island Resort in Australia are currently in Vanuatu to interview and recruit ni-Vanuatu workers.

So far 11 workers have been short-listed and expected to travel to Australia soon.

Source: Daily Post

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via IFTTT February 09, 2019 at 06:49PM

French Ambassador visits NGOs

The Ambassador of France to Vanuatu, Mr. Robby Judes paid a courtesy visit to the Vatu Mauri Consortium, Vanuatu Human Rights Coalition and Vanuatu Young Women For Change (VYWC) on Monday, February 4, 2019.

The Executive Board and members of the three Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) gladly received the French Ambassador. The chiefs, women leaders and Youth leaders showed their appreciation by warmly welcoming Ambassador Judes with fresh salusalus, a mat and calicos.

In his remarks, Ambassador Judes said he is interested in the work of Women and Human Rights.

In his remarks, Ambassador Judes said he is interested in the work of Women and Human Rights.

During the discussions, Ms. Anne Pakoa Acting CEO of the Vatu Mauri Consortium and CEO of the Vanuatu Human Rights Coalition and Technical Advisor for the VYWC briefed Ambassador Judes of the different programs and activities each of these organisations work on which includes the upcoming manioc project for the Tokoshefate Farmers Association, the Rights of victims of displaced people and communities and the VYWC ‘Storian Insaed Long Nakamal Project’ which is a project led by VYWC and over 18 chiefs to ensure women representation in the National Parliament in 2020.

During the discussions, Mr Joe Kalo, CEO of the Vanuatu National Youths Council (VNYC) raised the importance of VNYC taking lead on the celebration of La Francophone activities while Mrs Alice Kaloran, President of Tongoa Shepherds Women Association spoke about the work they do on empowering women economically.

Ambassador Judes said he is looking forward to a concept note to be provided to him by Ms Pakoa which should incorporate current programmes and activities of these NGOs.

Source: Vanuatu Daily Post

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Pacific Islands Forum SG to speak at symposium today in Port Vila

Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum, Dame Meg Taylor, is visiting Vanuatu this week.

Dame Taylor says her visit to Vanuatu is to consult with various arms of the Vanuatu Government as well as speak at a symposium at the University of the South Pacific about China in the Pacific.

“I’ve had meetings with both the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister.

“I’ve also sat down with key government officials to look at key issues that are of concern to them.

“This for us is a way of getting and understanding of what is the thinking of people in the region.

“We’ve also had a team here with us to looking at the governance arrangements and the functional aspects of the Pacific Resilience Facility.

“This is a Fund that the Finance Ministers want set up and it has been endorsed by the Leaders.

“That is to raise a substantial amount of money that we would, as countries, as private sector and also communities to be able to utilize to ensure that we are investing in infrastructure that will be able to withstand climatic impacts.

“Also to refit old infrastructure,” she told Kizzy Kalsakau from 96 Buzz FM.

Dame Taylor says Vanuatu is important in such conversation because after Cyclone Pam 64% of the GDP of this country was lost.

“That cannot happen again.

“We have to make sure that we find instruments so that Vanuatu protects itself and takes action for itself,” the Forum Secretariat SG said.

The Forum SG says she is also here because she has been invited to speak at a symposium on China in the Pacific at the University of the South Pacific’s Emalus Campus today.

“For us it is very important because of a number of our member states that recognize the People’s Republic of China.

“The challenges, opportunities- so I’ll be addressing that tomorrow (today) morning at the University of the South Pacific.”

Source: DailyPost

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