Important Business News Monday 01 June 2020

Join the Council – 8 Positions to fill at June’s Annual General Meeting

Are you asking yourself why you should be interested in this opportunity?

Here are just some of the benefits to you of becoming a VCCI Council member.

1. You have a chance to have a say on matters that count. VCCI is here to represent the private sector and advocate and lobby the Government on its behalf. Councillors vote on the key actions that the Chamber takes on and directs its strategy.
2. Through engaging with decision makers in meetings, on boards and working with committees your knowledge about what is going on for the private sector will grow too. Be in the know – in an environment where knowledge is key, at the Chamber we are often the first to hear about new Government initiatives.
3. You will gain credibility. By being a business sector representative you will meet other leaders and grow your network. VCCI Councillors are requested to join boards of national organisations and given more responsibilities and opportunities through being recognised by being a VCCI Council member.

Councillors sign up for 2 years’ voluntary service and will be required to attend one monthly meeting at the Chamber, and to support various other boards and initiatives in their representative capacity. The actual monthly input will vary between 1-3 days per month on average.

Open positions on the Council for election in 2020

The Council is looking to fill the following positions at this year’s Annual General Meeting on the 30^th of June.

• 1 representative of manufacturing industry
• 1 representative of the tourism industry
• 2 representatives of small business
• 1 representative of larger business
• 1 representative of the land transport industry
• 1 representative of the air transport industry
• 1 representative of the construction industry

Any individual holding a valid business license can be nominated as a candidate for the Council. Nominees are required to be supported by two individuals in their industry sector. Individuals should be nominated for their experience, personal integrity and commitment.

If you or someone you know would like more information we encourage you to email to reception@vcci.vu to obtain full details on how to apply.

You want labour laws that are business friendly?

VCCI is a member of the Tri-partite Labour Advisory Council (TLAC) serving as the employers’ representative, which is mandated to make recommendations on social, economic and labour issues, and ensure ‘active consultation with tripartite constituents on the development, adoption, implementation and regulation of International Labour Standards’.

TLAC was formed in 2010 under direction of the International Labour Organisation (ILO). The three parties in this council are the Labour Union – representing employees, VCCI – representing employers, and the Vanuatu Government.  Under the current Employment Act, TLAC has specific functions to make proposals and recommendations on any legislation or policy relevant to labour, employment, industrial relations, working conditions, and wages.

TLAC met this week and the meeting focused on proposed changes by the Department of Labour to the current Employment Act in areas such as severance, .probationary periods, payment of remuneration, terminating pregnant women, overtime rates, annual leave, and insurance issues. VCCI has engaged a legal expert to provide an analysis and recommendations based on feedback from members earlier this year. You will get a chance to comment more on this in the coming weeks.

Also discussed was the changes that have been proposed to the reserved occupations list (discussed in our last newsletter) and ensured that all present were well informed on the position of the private sector. In particular VCCI reinforced that employees are a company’s greatest assets. The objective we are all working towards is to ensure that we support development of staff as a means to improving businesses.

Stay informed

VCCI is always working behind the scenes to ensure the private sector’s voice is heard. Keep up to date on the more day to day communications by joining our Facebook @vanuatuchamberofcommerceandindustry