This policy direction aims to provide advice regarding interim measures being implemented by the Vanuatu Government to support all Approved Employers, Recruiting Agents and Migrant Workers affected by the announced liquation of Air Vanuatu and the disruption to air services previously provided by our National Airline.
The welfare of our Ni-Vanuatu workers and their families is of the highest priority for the Vanuatu Government and it is acknowledged that this announcement regarding Air Vanuatu has greatly impacted our Ni-Vanuatu workers in both Australia and New Zealand as well as our Labour Mobility Stakeholder Partners.
As such, this Directive serves to inform all Approved Employers, Licensed Recruiting Agents and Migrant Workers as well as all Labour Mobility Stakeholders of the immediate support by the Vanuatu Government regarding worker employment contracts that may be expired or due for expiry in the short term.
For the next three months, effective today [10-May-2024], the Vanuatu Government will provide approvals for worker contract extensions received to the Labour Sending Unit (LSU) of the Department of Labour and Employment Services with the following conditions:
- Alternative travel options must be considered for workers to return to Vanuatu, however, it is acknowledged alternative travel options may be restricted by availability and/or cost to the worker.
- All contract extension requests must be submitted to the LSU in writing to gvuti@vanuatu.gov.vu. It is impo1tant that the Vanuatu Government always maintain current information on all Ni-Vanuatu workers.
- All contract extensions must be discussed with immediate family members of the impacted worker. Unplanned extended separations between the worker and their families have the potential to contribute to social and welfare challenges affecting all levels of the community.
A review of this directive will be undertaken on the 10th August 2024, pending the operational status of Air Vanuatu.
This directive is effective the date it is made and dated in Port Vila and is made pursuant to Section 27 (3) of the Seasonal Employment Act 2007 (SEA) which empowers the Commissioner of Labour (CoL) to issue advisory guidelines for the purposes of proper implementation of all Labour Mobility Programs for the mutual benefit of all parties engaged in different the Labour Mobility Programs in Vanuatu.
Thank you for your understanding and please do not hesitate to contact [the LSU Office] should you wish any further clarifications or queries regarding this directive.
Murielle MELTENOVEN
COMMISSIONER OF LABOUR
Department of Labour and Employment Services
Ministry of Internal Affairs – Republic of Vanuatu