A proposed law to address sexual harassment on all vessels operating in Vanuatu waters — including small banana boats — is expected to go before Parliament once a Council of Ministers (COM) paper is approved.
Maritime Affairs Commissioner, Less Napauti, told VBTC News that the COM paper is currently being prepared as part of the legislative planning process.
“The update now is that every ministry has what we call a legislative plan which different departments must submit to become a COM paper for the Council of Ministers to approve. Then instructions go to the State Law Office to draft the law on sexual harassment. As of January, VMSA’s legislative plan has already been submitted to the Ministry of Fisheries, Oceans and Maritime, and included in that plan is this harassment law. We are now waiting for the COM paper to go to the Council of Ministers for approval before it can proceed to Parliament.”
Some ship crew members, who asked not to be named, said they would like to see more awareness carried out about the proposed law to help workers understand their rights and responsibilities.
Mr Napauti said awareness will be conducted once the law is finalised.
“This law will basically stop sexual harassment on any ship operating in our waters, including small banana boats. If you break this law and you are a seafarer, VMSA will take disciplinary action against you. If you are not a seafarer, VMSA will file a criminal complaint with police for police to deal with you, which may result in a fine or imprisonment.”
The proposed sexual harassment law is expected to be tabled in Parliament later this year.
