BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
The Solomon Islands Council of Trade Unions (SICTU) strongly calls on the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Police, National Security & Correctional Services to immediately direct the Human Resources Director to facilitate the long-overdue Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Solomon Islands Police Officers Association (SIPOA).
A statement from SICTU said that this call comes after the Commissioner of Police’s approval for the AGM to proceed.
However, information received by SICTU said that the Ministry’s HR Director continues to delay the process, citing a lack of funding as the reason.
In a statement, the SICTU said that SIPOA is the legitimate voice for its members within the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) and the Correctional Services.
It adds that the continued absence of an active, elected SIPOA board has effectively silenced the collective voice of police and correctional officers, excluding them from critical discussions concerning their welfare, working conditions, and the broader development of the force.
SICTU President, Mr. Tony Kagovai, expressed deep concern over the delay.
“It is unacceptable that the HR Directorate is stalling a process that has already been approved by the Commissioner. The right to freedom of association and the right of workers to have their representative body are fundamental principles.
“Using funding as an excuse to delay this democratic process is a direct affront to these rights and undermines the morale of our hardworking officers,” he said.
“The absence of a functional SIPOA board means our police and correctional officers have no structured platform to engage with ministry leadership on vital issues that affect their daily lives and service to the nation. This silence is not golden; it is damaging,” Kagovai added.
The statement said that SICTU hereby calls on the Minister of Police, National Security & Correctional Services to intervene urgently.
“We urge the Honourable Minister to direct the Permanent Secretary to ensure the HR Manager fulfils their administrative duty to facilitate the SIPOA AGM without further delay. The welfare and representation of our frontline protectors are not matters that can be postponed,” said SICTU.
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