𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐲𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐬: 𝐓𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐚’𝐬 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐲𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐲 (𝐓𝐍𝐄𝐏)

Nuku’alofa, November 26: The development of Tonga’s first-ever National Employment Policy (TNEP) is currently underway through the collaboration of the Ministry of Trade and Economic Development (MTED) and the International Labour Organization (ILO).

This significant initiative began in May with consultations involving representatives from relevant government departments, private businesses, workers, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), and various related entities. The aim is to establish policies and objectives that protect and regulate the employment of workers in workplaces across Tonga.

This week, a draft policy has been formulated. A two-day discussion, which started yesterday, is ongoing with these stakeholders to review and debate the TNEP before moving towards its anticipated finalization in early 2025.

From the discussions on Tuesday, November 26, the following needs were highlighted:

– Strengthening Education Alignment: Enhance the focus on education in schools to better connect with the skills demanded by employment sectors and workplaces, improving job opportunities for graduates.

– Standardizing Worker Care: Strive to standardize worker welfare and employment practices across workplaces. Establish policies for fair wages and equitable work to protect the rights and well-being of workers.

– Ensuring Equal Opportunities: Job opportunities are accessible to everyone in diverse environments and societies.

– Supporting Small Businesses: Assist small enterprises in transitioning the informal sector into formal sector to protect employment and ensure long-term economic stability.

– Preparing for Global Challenges: Ready the nation for contemporary global challenges, such as technological advancements and climate change, to ensure sustainable and enduring economic growth.

However, discussions are still ongoing with various parties, and expected to be completed in the first half of 2025. This process marks a journey towards creating quality employment opportunities, expanding diverse economic sectors, and improving livelihoods in Tonga.

𝐍𝐠ā𝐮𝐞ʻ𝐚𝐧𝐠á 𝐦𝐨 𝐞 𝐌𝐚ʻ𝐮ʻ𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐚 𝐦𝐨ʻ𝐮í: 𝐟𝐮𝐨𝐟𝐮𝐚 𝐓𝐮ʻ𝐮𝐭𝐮ʻ𝐮𝐧𝐢 𝐍𝐠ā𝐮𝐞 𝐅𝐚𝐤𝐚𝐟𝐨𝐧𝐮𝐚 𝐦𝐚ʻ𝐚 𝐓𝐨𝐧𝐠á 𝐧𝐢 (𝐓𝐍𝐄𝐏)

Nuku’alofa, Nōvema 26: ‘Oku lolotonga lele ʻi matangi hono tufungaʻi ʻo e fuofua Tuʻutuʻuni Ngāue Fakafonua maʻa Tongá ni (TNEP) ʻi he fengāueʻaki ʻa e Potungāue Fefakatauʻakí mo e Langa Fakalakalaka Fakaʻekonōmiká (MTED) pea mo e Kautaha Fakavaha’apule’anga kihe Ngāue ‘a e Kakai (ILO).

Ko e ngāue mahuʻinga ‘eni na’e kamata ʻi Mē taʻuni ʻaki ʻa e talatalanoa mo e ngaahi fakafofonga mei he ngaahi Potungāue felāveʻi ʻa e Puleʻangá, ngaahi pisinisi taautaha, kau ngāue, Kautaha ʻikai fakatupu pa’anga (NGOs) mo e ngaahi kupu fekauʻaki kehekehe ke fokotuʻutuʻu ha ngaahi tuʻutuʻuni mo e taumuʻa ke ne maluʻi mo puleʻi ʻa hono fakangāueʻi ʻo ha tokotaha ngāue ʻi ha ngāueʻanga ʻi Tongá ni.

ʻI he uiké ni kuo lava ke ata mai ha tuʻutuʻuni fakaangaanga pea ʻoku hokoatu e talatalanoa ʻaho ʻe ua ʻa ia ne kamata ʻaneafi pea moe ngaahi kupu fekauʻakí ni ki hono siofi mo aleaʻi ʻo e TNEP ki muʻa pea toki hokoatu ki hano aofangatuku fakafuofua ki he konga kimuʻa pē ʻo e 2025.

Mei he ngaahi talatalanoa ʻaneafí Tūsite 26 Nōvemá, ne hā mei ai ‘a e fiemaʻu ke:

– Fakamalohiʻi hono tokangaekina ʻo e ʻilo ʻoku akoʻi ʻi he lokiakó ke fehokotaki lelei mo e taukei ngāue ʻoku fiemaʻu ʻe he ngaahi sekitoa ngāue mo e ngāueʻanga ka e lelei ange ʻa e faingamālie ngāue ʻi he ʻosi mei he akó.

– Feinga ke fakatuʻunga tatau (Standardize) hono tokangaekina e kau ngaue mo e fakohoko ngaue ʻi he ngaahi ngāueʻangá, fokotuʻu ngaahi tuʻutuʻuni ki ha vāhenga taau mo e ngāue faitotonu ke maluʻi ʻa e ngaahi totonu mo e lelei ʻo e kau ngāue.

– Ke fakapapauʻi ʻoku maʻu ʻa e ngaahi faingamālie ngāue ki he tokotaha kotoa ʻi he ʻātakai mo e sosaieti.

– Mateuteu ki he ngaahi taʻau fakamamani lahi ʻo e kuongá ʻo hangē ko e fakalakalaka fakatekinolosia, feliuliuaki ʻo e ʻeá ke fakapapauʻi ʻa e malava ke matuʻuekina pea tuʻuloa ʻa e ʻekonōmiká.

Kaikehe ʻoku kei hokohoko atu pē talatalanoá ki he ngaahi tafaʻaki kehekehe. ʻE hoko ʻeni ko ha halafononga ki hono fakatupu ʻo e ngaahi faingamālie ngāue lelei, fakalahi ʻa e ngaahi sekitoa fakaʻekonomika kehekehe, mo fakaleleiʻi ʻa e maʻuʻanga moʻuí ʻi Tongá ni.

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