Vanuatu became a member of the ILO in 2003. Since then the country has ratified eight conventions; seven of these are ILO fundamental conventions, meaning that only one such convention (on minimum working age) remains to be ratified.
ILO work in Vanuatu is handled through the ILO’s Country Office for South Pacific Island Countries. This work covers a number of areas. A number of ILO methodologies and tools are being adapted and tested for use in the country, including workplace policies and strategies relating to HIV/AIDS (these have been developed with the regional grouping of Chiefs of Police), and policies that promote the involvement of men as partners in reproductive health - so promoting more gender responsive and productive workplaces.
Baseline research studies on social protection, workers’ compensation, the efficiency of provident funds, traditional social protection systems, and the formal and informal employment sectors have been carried out, and the recommendations are being used to guide policy formation.
Vanuatu has also been part of a social security project covering a number of Pacific states.
The Government of Vanuatu has indicated that one of the requirements of its Decent Work Country Programme would be the creation of new income-earning activities and employment for young people and vulnerable groups, including women. Plans are underway to apply pilot employment models that have already operated successfully in Fiji. A programme focusing on education, employability and decent work for young people is currently being implemented and will be run until 2010.
ILO work in Vanuatu is supported through the ILO’s Country Office for South Pacific Island Countries based in Suva, Fiji.
Print
Email
