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A new chapter in Vanuatu’s labour movement has begun as the nation’s nurses now have an officially registered Union Committee. The committee was formally recognised by the Vanuatu Financial Services Commission (VFSC) in May this year, marking a major step toward addressing longstanding concerns within the nursing profession. The union’s formation comes amid growing frustration among healthcare workers, particularly over unresolved issues such as unpaid risk allowances during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, excessive workloads, lack of overtime pay, and poor working conditions. Speaking on behalf of the newly formed committee, a senior nurse who requested anonymity said, “For too long, nurses have been the backbone of this country’s health system without fair compensation or recognition. This union gives us a platform to speak with one voice and demand what is rightfully ours.” The registration has already stirred discussion among public servants and government officials, with many drawing comparisons to the recent success of the Vanuatu Teachers Union (VTU). The VTU recently won a legal battle and has continued industrial action into the third term of the 2025 academic year. The precedent set by the teachers’ union has raised hope among nurses but also concern within government circles about a possible ripple effect across other sectors. A government insider, speaking on condition of anonymity, admitted that the new nurses’ union could pose a “serious challenge” to the Ministry of Health’s already strained budget and workforce planning. “If this gains momentum like the VTU case, we may see another major public sector disruption.” The broader public reaction has been mixed. While some citizens support frontline workers, others worry about potential service disruptions in hospitals and clinics, especially in remote areas. As the Nurses Union Committee begins organising its first general meetings and outlining its formal demands, all eyes are now on how the government will respond — and whether another wave of strikes looms on the horizon. Vanuatu Daily Post received reports that membership is increasing, starting in SHEFA and now spreading to other islands.
