Vanuatu Parliament

 The opposition bloc, led by Ishmael Kalsakau, filed the motion last week, citing public dissatisfaction with the government's progress.

This is the fifth attempt by Mr Kalsakau to remove the Charlot Salwai-led government since the 2016 election.

However, the Daily Post reports that in parliament yesterday, the government continued to command its usual majority.

Currently over 7,000 ni-Vanuatu are involved in New Zealand's Recognised Seasonal Employment or the Seasonal Workers Program in Australia.

The Economic Policy committee in Vanuatu's parliament, which enquires into matters around the regulation of economic activities and commerce, has revealed that some companies are facing challenges because of the schemes.

MP Francois Chani said the programmes are good for Vanuatu because of the remittances they bring in but authorities must make sure they serve their purpose in providing jobs for the unemployed.

The motion was delivered by the MP for Efate Rural, Joshua Kalsakau, on Friday.

His brother, the leader of the opposition Ishmael Kalsakau, said there were four main grounds for the motion, including the multi-million dollar Air Vanuatu loan granted by the government.

MPs were not consulted on the loan which had no budget appropriation, Ishmael Kalsakau said.

The other grounds are the welfare of Ambae Volcano victims, copra subsidies and what Ishmael Kalsakau calls the questionable work of the Chair of the Public Service Commission.

The majority of these are not new bills but amendments to existing laws.

Mr Sokomanu said Vanuatu needs women involved in the development of the nation.

He made his comments as he opened the 'Women Leaders National Strategic Dialogue and Training,' which is being attended by more than 100 leaders.

Motarilavoa Hilda Lini, the spokesperson for Advocates for Women said Vanuatu women are absolutely committed, in their traditional roles as family and community economists, to making sure the culture, communities and nation thrives.

She said Vanuatu needs 50 percent of Parliament to be occupied by women.

The bill sought to change the constitution to formalise the role of parliamentary secretaries, quasi-ministerial positions held by MPs that have existed since 2012.

The bill was passed by parliament but referred to the court by the President for legal clarification.

The Daily Post reports the Speaker saying the Supreme Court ruled the constitutional changes in the bill could only be enacted following a referendum.

He said he was sorry the government failed to work within the constitution.

Willie Abiut said a proposal calling for $US3.45 million to settle the anomalies and $US5.2 million to settle the benefits had been lodged with the Development Committee of Officials and the Council of Ministers.

The union is waiting for parliament to sit in June to approve the payments and is confident MPs will accede to the proposal, Mr Abiut said.

"That's the question of waiting for their approval but the government is responding. They're giving us quite a few figures of settling the issues so they're answering what the VTU is asking," he said.

Charlot Salwai wants to increase the numbers in cabinet from 13 to 17.

Our correspondent said the protestors are likely to be from all sectors of Vanuatu society.

Meanwhile, the Daily Post newspaper reported the opposition leader, Ishmael Kalsakau, saying he has filed a legal challenge to the prime minister's move, saying extra ministries are far too costly at this time for the country.

Both the Government and the Opposition bloc claim to have numbers.

The Government claims to have 33 Members of Parliament on its side and the Opposition also claims to have 30 MPs on its side to topple Prime Minister Salwai.

During the parliament session yesterday more MPs were sitting on the Government side than that of the Opposition side.

The Government bloc had 33 MPs after the court case on Unity Day, while the Opposition claimed it has numbers and maintained 30 over last weekend.

Joe Natuman resigned last week after the Speaker of Parliament barred him from entering the chamber and declared his seat vacant.

The speaker's decision followed Mr Natuman being given a two-year suspended sentence in March, after earlier pleading guilty to a charge of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.

Yesterday, the magistrate's court rejected Mr Natuman's bid for a judicial review challenging his removal from parliament.

Outside the court, Mr Natuman said he would appeal to the Supreme Court.