Vanuatu officials have spoken highly about the visit of Sub-Regional ILO Office Director for Asia and Pacific based in Manila, Philippines, Mr Werner Konrad Blenk recently. The main purpose of Mr Blenk’s visit was to discuss with the Vanuatu government through the ministry of Internal Affairs who is responsible for Labour and ILO matters on Vanuatu’s commitment to the ILO after becoming a member of this important organization in 2003.

Interim Labour Commissioner Lionel Kaluat has said it is another important step in the labour developments to have such a high profile ILO Director in Vanuatu. Mr Blenk pointed out that it is very important that Vanuatu makes good use in attending the annual ILO conferences as it is an investment opportunity since there is the potential for Vanuatu through this important meeting to explore avenues of assistance since the conference lasts up to 3 weeks and gathers some 180 labour ministers from all over the world. He also pointed out that since the Geneva office is fully equipped with the required technical and financial assistance and expertise, it would be worthwhile pursuing Vanuatu’s needs during these conferences. He also stressed that since Vanuatu has now become a member of the ILO with other Island states namely the Solomon Islands, Kiribati, Samoa and East Timor he intends to formulate a forum for Small Island States in early February 2005 in Melbourne, Australia to prepare these Island State authorities to familiarize themselves in getting a clear understanding of ILO and what could be achieved during their attendance at the conference.

During his short visit Mr Blenk met with the minister responsible for Labour Hami Lini, the minister of Finance, the Governor of the Reserve Bank, the Unions and the Chamber of Commerce. He also had the chance to meet all tripartite agencies and also held discussions with his colleague donor agencies such as ADB, European Union and ESCAP. He was accompanied by his wife Christine and 7-month-old son Tilman. Mr Blenk and his family left Vanuatu on Friday. “In the early days ‘luxury’ means being rich and having big houses and cars and wearing expensive clothes and jewellery etc. But in this modern time ‘luxury’ is defined as having clean air, natural beauty, friendly people and a peaceful society. I am so impressed that though Vanuatu is around the corner, it has these luxuries. Therefore, the people of Vanuatu should be very proud that they are probably one of the only countries in the world that lives in luxury regardless of the modern civilization,” he said of Vanuatu beauty.