26/11/2024
Today, Tuesday 26th November, 2024, Deputy CEO - Lorraine Kauhenga officially OPEN the 3rd phase for the development of Tonga National Employment Policy (NEP) with a stakeholders' workshops / consultations at the Tano'a Hotel. The Labour Division of the Ministry of Trade and Economic Development (MTED) with the support of the International Labour Organization (ILO) have committed to the development of this first-of-its-kind policy for Tonga and ensuring that the development of Tonga's national employment policy remains inclusive, responsive, and tailored to the specific needs of the Tongan workforce and economy.
The 1st phase of stakeholders' workshops / consultations was launched back in May 2024 and followed by the 2nd phase in October 2024.
At this 2 days initial workshop, participants agreed on the way forward to include the following:
1. Focused groups meetings,
2. Data collection (to be done in conjunction with the sectors skills survey)
3. Initial draft of the Policy,
4. Workshop No.2 to go through draft Policy,
5. Review and revise,
6. Validation workshop – February 2025.
Participants invited to this workshop / consultation were from the government ministries, private sector, workers' associations, employers' associations, NGOs, and Civil Societies.
Ms. Rachael Black and Mr. Moleni Ika are being engaged as the international and local consultants to progress the required process mentioned above.