Vanuatu Takes Tougher Line On Work Permits

by Mary Swire, Tax-News.com, Hong Kong

20 July 2005

The government of Vanuatu is implementing a tougher work permit regime on expatriates seeking employment in the country, it has been reported in the local media.

According to a report in the Port Vila Presse, labour commissioner, Lionel Kaluat, has said that he cannot continue to entertain foreigners who come to Vanuatu for different purposes, and apply for a work permit and engage in activities or jobs that are reserved for nationals of Vanuatu.

Mr Kaluat's comments come after the Minister for Internal Affairs, George Wells upheld a recommendation by the labour department to refuse a work permit to two Asian nationals.

In the report, Mr Kaluat explained that:

"Mr Weng Jie is managing a shop in town and Mrs Deng Hong Hing, who came to Vanuatu with her husband (who is an investor), had applied for a work permit to be a shop keeper. They claimed the language problem as one reason. They should be reminded that everyone in Vanuatu speaks Bislama and for them to apply for a work permit to be a shop keeper, is not reasonable, because that particular job can be allocated to a simple ni-Vanuatu employee.

"We understand there is manipulation on issues of getting a work permit in Vanuatu, but this is something that the labour department is working on through training currently taking place."

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