BY SAMIE WAIKORI
Member of Parliament for Temotu Vatu constituency, Freda Tuki Rangirei is content with provisions under the Public Service Bill 2025, which defines sexual harassment as an offense.
Speaking in parliament and contributing to the second reading of the Public Service Bill 2025 on Thursday, she voiced that sexual harassment is a serious human rights violence in the public service, according to a recent study from the Ministry of Public Service.
“And what is of great concern is the lack of protection mechanisms that ensure employees’ safety and confidence to report such cases.
“I further welcome the provision that defines sexual harassment as an offence,” she said.
She stressed that the Human Rights Management Principle ensures fair, safe, and inclusive workplace, and participatory decision-making is notable.
She added that within a public service, there are also employees who experience challenges related to vision, hearing, mobility, and cognition.
In relation, she said currently, there is no support service framework in place to provide mechanisms that would enable persons with disabilities and those with impairments to engage meaningfully and perform their duties effectively.
Tuki highlighted the significance of these provisions in the bill for women, those with disabilities, and those most vulnerable in the public service in terms of their empowerment, safety, and protection, which cannot be overemphasized.
She also expressed her support for the passage of the Public Service Bill 2025, and for the bill to try and address some of these important areas in the public service.
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