The Blue Pacific Big Ocean States (BPBOS) Labour Platform plays a pivotal role in unifying the Pacific region’s stance on labor and employment matters, as well as International Labour Organization (ILO) agendas. Established in 2019 with the participation of ILO member states, the platform was initiated by Labour Ministers in Papua New Guinea.
Fiji became the first country to chair the BPBOS labour platform and continues to hold this leadership role through the Minister for Employment, Productivity and Workplace Relations. Concurrently, the Government of Cook Islands serves as the Secretariat for the platform.
Agni Deo Singh, Fiji’s Minister for Employment, Productivity and Workplace Relations and current Chair of the BPBOS, underscored the platform’s significance in amplifying the Pacific’s representation at international forums such as the International Labour Conference and the Asia Pacific Group platform. He emphasized the need for a unified voice among Pacific Island nations, particularly regarding issues such as decent work, labor, employment challenges, and climate change.
To further the objectives of the BPBOS, a two-day meeting took place on August 26-27, 2024, in Auckland, New Zealand. This gathering focused on reviewing the draft Terms of Reference for the BPBOS Labour Ministers’ Platform, resulting in a successful completion of the draft review.
Minister Singh expressed gratitude towards the Cook Islands government for their role as Secretariat, highlighting the attendance of Anne Herman, Secretary of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and Miriama Herman, Social Impact Fund Officer. He also acknowledged the ILO Office for the Pacific Island countries for its financial support of the meeting and its ongoing commitment to promoting social justice among ILO Pacific Island member states.
Singh was joined by the Deputy Secretary for Employment, Atish Kumar, and Senior Ministerial Liaison Officer, Elina Vuniwa, with backing from the Fiji High Commission and Fiji’s Trade Office in New Zealand.