Remember: it was a project announced by former vice-president Eliane Tevahitua who wanted to remove the June 29 public holiday, to replace it with another day, in this case in November, to mark Matarii i Ni 'has. But beyond the symbolism, this change requires a reform of the labor code. Discussions began between union organizations and labor management. However, the institutional process and administrative procedures could compromise the deadline set by the government.
Aiata Tarahu-Arnold / Polynésie La 1ère Editorial
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Published on November 21, 2024 at 5:05 p.m.,
updated November 21, 2024 at 5:48 p.m.
Celebrate that…rather than this. For the independence government, this means favoring the cultural symbol over the political symbol, as explained Ronny Teriipaia, Minister of Culture: “As things currently stand, it is being considered. But in any case, the government's desire is truly to set up a date to highlight this important event for our culture and our fenua.”
Discussions have been underway since the beginning of the month between the parties. A Chinese puzzle for employee organizations, as explained Avaiki Teuiau, general secretary of the A ti'a i mua union:
“It remains festive, but it does not necessarily exempt from work. And the difficulty is at that level. Because they are the social partners, so we have a role in the process. They are the social partners, within the framework of discussions, who will agree to see if this day in question will be off work, and perhaps a little more, that is to say paid.”
Out of the question for the bosses to make the celebration of Matarii i Ni'a a paid, non-working day, when June 29 is not. And if the inscription in stone of the Labor Code is a step, the modification of the 18 collective agreements in the territory requires consultation and time.
Christophe Plée, president of CPME-PF, the confederation of small and medium-sized businesses in French Polynesia, is categorical: “It is a procedure which must last six months. And therefore, we are waiting for a letter from the labor department or the ministry of labor, so that the social partners can get to work, and modify these famous collective agreements .I'm taking this opportunity to call on all the partners who are on collective agreements to make this revision. And start this revision immediately, to be ready before June 29.”
The institutional process could be completed quickly. Discussions between the partners could take much more time.
Will and motivation will set the pace of progress. And if the deal is concluded within the time frame desired by the executive, we could then wonder about its priorities… when the fight against false patents, for example, is an emergency, both for employers and for employee representatives.
