Strike threat

The strike notice was issued by the Vanuatu National Workers' Union, acting on behalf of the parliamentary staff, the Daily Post reports.

Union official Rocky Thomas Bule said the ultimatum came after meetings with the Speaker of Parliament, Esmon Saimon, and the Commissioner of Labour, Murielle Meltenoven.

Mr Bule claimed decisions were reached at the meetings but not implemented, but Mrs Meltenoven said they would be put in place within the 30-day time frame.

Otherwise the workers could face delay in second phase of redundancy payout.

Last Monday, the Secretary General of Union, Member of Parliament for Port Vila, Ephraim Kalsakau issued a strike notice on behalf of the VBTC Union members to the Commissioner of Labour following delay in redundancy payment for VBTC staff.

The 30 days ultimatum from the VNWU calls for negotiation with the VBTC and Commissioner of Labour or face a strike action from its members at the VBTC.