Vanuatu: Port Vila transport union threaten strike action in new year

On 23 November, the president of the Shefa Province/Port Vila Public Land Transport Association (SPLTA) announced the possibility of strike action. PLTA represents up to 4000 operators, including taxis, buses, and tour operators in Port Vila and wider Shefa Province. The PLTA’s main grievance is the lack of government action to fix the area’s poor roads. On 3 December, the PLTA presented a new tariff structure to the Government, including a rise in bus fares by 33%. The PLTA President, Donald Massing, said that if the new structure was not signed off in one month that his organisation would go on strike.

Assessment: A number of Government approvals are required for a rise in tariffs. While the SPTLA likely acknowledge that little action will take place prior to the snap general election around 14 January, they are unlikely to wait too long for the new Government to take action. In addition to poor roads, the union’s grievances also appear to be around rising costs for vehicle road worthiness. The current caretaker cabinet or new Government could delay strike action by demonstrating concrete actions to address these grievances. Without credible Government engagement with the SPLTA, strike action in early to mid-January is likely - strike action by the teachers’ union earlier in 2024 secured action on their grievances.

Sources: "Public Transport Strike Threat," Daily Post, March 25, 2025; “SPLTA Blong Stop Wok Sapos Ol Otoriti Oli No Saenem Niufala Tariff Strakja,” Vanuatu Broadcasting & Television Corporation, December 3, 2024; "Bus Fares to Increase Starting January." Daily Post, March 25, 2025.