Strike Action looming in Airports Vanuatu Limited
The 30-day notice was to negotiate the reinstatement of company’s Chief Executive Officer, Jason Rakau, who got his marching order last Wednesday 16 September 2015.
“Unless after 30 days from this notice no acceptable conclusion for our demand for the immediate reinstatement of CEO, Jason Rakau who was appointed by the last board of directors but was allegedly removed through political influence”, the notice read.
Jason, according to the current board chairman. Mr Lew had intentionally been denying them entry into the AVL premises despite having won their court case over unlawful termination, and were ordered to return to office.
The AVL is an incorporated state owned company and 100% solely owned by the Vanuatu Government. It is regarded as a commercial arm of the Vanuatu Government. The company has in the recent past years seen a string of incidences including court challenges by members, termination and replacement of staffs, including CEO and divisional managers, whenever there is a change in government. Both sides are accusing staff of mismanagement and misuse of funds and expressions were made to the effect of suing individuals but none has filed official complaints to prompt a police investigation for prosecution.
In December last year, then Minister of Finance and Economic Management (MFEM) Maki Simelum told Parliament that the issues of misappropriation in the Airports Vanuatu Limited (AVL) has resulted in an ongoing internal investigation and that three senior AVL officials had to be suspended yet again for their alleged involvement in misappropriation of funds totaling around Vt29 million. These were staff members who have now returned under the new Kilman Government, a move that brings about continued rivalry between staff and politicians. Only a former CEO had been formally charged and sentenced for mismanagement.
But the infightings between staff and politicians really begun in 2013 after that morning when the people of Vanuatu woke up to the news that then Prime Minister, Moana Carcasses, had committed them to a Vt35.5 billion concession agreement with an unknown Singapore-based company – Vanuatu Trade Development Limited (VTDL) on that Saturday, July 27 to build a new greenfield international airport for the country. This news could not play well with staff who would not entertain such a project.
In the light of recent termination of the CEO, the VNWU said it is fed-up with what it termed as “political maneuvering of its members” inside AVL and is finally drawing a fine line that is likely to end up in a “stand Down” at Bauerfield International and domestic terminals.
National Secretary/Treasurer of the union, Ephraim Kalsakau stated in the notice that “staff no longer have trust and confidence on the current management led by acting CEO, Willie Watson who is facing claims of misconduct at work and misappropriation of company funds”.
He said the current situation has caused unnecessary anxiety and uncertainty within AVL which is not conducive to the required work environment where safety is paramount.
Mr Kalsakau claimed there are indications of fraud, impersonations, endeavoring to cover up investigations into past criminal activities, and now probable backroom dealings in the 60 million US D aviation upgrade for Vanuatu.
Over the years since the incorporation of Airports Vanuatu Limited, successive Management personnel have shown lack of discipline in promoting professional attitude in the overall management of this important institution under the aviation of Vanuatu.
Mr Kalsakau also said strike notice for another government statutory body, the Vanuatu Broadcasting and Television Corporation (VBTC) is pending.
He accused Labor Commissioner Lionel Kaluat of using “delaying tactics” to prolong negotiations to find solution to staff’s demand for the termination of the institutions General Manager, Fred Vurobaravu.
The longtime unionist added “we will also have to draw a fine line on this one by the end of this month and industrial action is imminent. Vanuatu Post
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