29 Dec 2014

Vanuatu to look into businesses hiring expats

5:11 pm on 29 December 2014

Vanuatu's Commissioner of Labour says from next year inspectors will check businesses that employ expatriates instead of ni-Vanuatu and penalise any breaches of the Labour Act.

Lionel Kaluat says many business owners advertise positions which include the ability to speak a foreign language, such as Chinese, which automatically disqualifies most ni-Vanuatu applicants.

The Commissioner says once that expatriate takes a position, he or she often becomes a cashier or driver.

Mr Kaluat says this means the advertised requirements are just there to discourage ni-Vanuatu from applying.

He says labour inspectors will also check wages to ensure they comply with the Minimum Wage Act.