Sanma Province has passed a new by-law requiring all seasonal worker applications linked to the province to undergo additional verification before approval.
The by-law is now awaiting gazettal through the State Law Office before it comes into effect.
Secretary General of Sanma Province, Johnathan Iavre, said the measure follows recent concerns raised about seasonal workers who fail to return home after travelling overseas for employment.
Speaking to VBTC News, Mr Iavre said a survey he conducted in 2025 found that at least 24 families in Sanma had been affected by workers who either absconded or established new lives overseas.
“From a survey I conducted in Sanma Province, 24 families were affected by this issue in 2025 alone. Some workers absconded, others started new families overseas, and the families left behind continue to suffer. This creates social issues within communities,” he said.
Mr Iavre said the province has limited authority to intervene once workers leave the country, making preventative measures at the application stage more important.
The issue was also discussed during a recent VBTC Press Club programme, where Minister of Internal Affairs Andrew Napuat stressed that chiefs, pastors, communities and government agencies must work together to strengthen family protection and prevent social problems.
Mr Napuat said community leaders who endorse applications should ensure they know the applicant and their family situation well before signing supporting documents.
“We need to look carefully at who is approving these applications. Chiefs and pastors should understand the circumstances of the families involved before signing documents for overseas employment,” he said.
The Secretary General of the Vanuatu Christian Council, Pastor Bernard Yalimtau, also acknowledged concerns surrounding church endorsements, noting that some applicants receive signatures from church leaders despite having little or no involvement in church activities.
Mr Iavre said the new by-law, known as the Export Workers Administrative Clarification By-law, will introduce a verification process through provincial government structures.
Under the proposed system, applications submitted by labour recruitment agents will be referred through provincial, area council and village structures to confirm the legitimacy of supporting documents and endorsements.
“We want to verify whether the pastor who signed the form actually signed it, or whether someone else signed on their behalf. The process will help ensure proper checks are carried out before workers leave the country,” he said.
Provincial authorities say the by-law is designed to strengthen accountability and protect families and communities from the social impacts associated with workers who fail to return after participating in overseas employment schemes.
Photo credits: Facebook
