“Our goal is to raise people’s pulse”

Tahiti, 19 June 2024 – Recommendations, self-recommendations, draft opinions… The role and functions of the Economic, Social, Environmental and Cultural Council (Cesec) may seem vague to most people. Tahiti Infos met with the president of the country’s fourth institution, Voltina Roomataaroa-Dauphin, to review and explain the important responsibilities that rest on the shoulders of Cesec’s 51 members. Interview.

Cesec is an organization whose functions and roles seem vague to most people. Can you explain to us in a few words what Cesec is?

“The Economic Security Council is the country’s fourth body, after the President, the Government and the Territorial Parliament. Our role is to raise the public’s feelings about the bills that the Government or Parliament wants to pass. We have 51 members, from different federations, unions and associations, but gathered together to represent civic life. Our goal is therefore to convey to the executive and legislative authorities the pulse of the people we represent and the laws they want to enact. For all legal texts that deal with economic and social issues, the Government and Parliament are obliged to ask for our opinion, even if they are not obliged to follow our recommendations. Our opinion may be “favorable”, “unfavorable” or, in some cases, we may not take a position.
In fact, once a law is passed, it becomes rigid and cannot be amended. The government may incur the dissatisfaction of the people who are subject to the laws of these territories. But when the text goes into the proposal cycle and we are asked for our opinion, it can still be changed and we can amend the clauses. Therefore, it is possible that the government can amend certain paragraphs, certain details that are sometimes not thought of, based on our opinions. Especially because the opinions we put forward are intended to best represent the people’s thoughts. ”

You told us that Cesec is made up of 51 members representing associations, federations and even unions. How are they chosen?

“Our representatives all belong to what we call Academies. We have five, and they are mirrors of various areas of civic life. The Employers’ Academy, with representatives of Medef, CCISM, CPME… The Employees’ Academy, with representatives of various unions, such as CSTP-FO, Fraap and even CSIP and Ati’a i mua. Next is “Development”, which includes members from sectors that the government wants to develop. For example, there is the Maritime Cluster, Culture TFTN, Environment Fape and even members from the fisheries sector. The fourth academy is that of “Social Cohesion and Collective Life”, with representatives of Fose, Cousins ​​Cousines, the Association of Nuclear Victims… Finally, there is the Academy of the Islands, created last year, with representatives from various archipelagos.
During the selection process, the government decides which associations will be present at Cesec. Each will then decide on its representatives, with the government having the final say on the choice of representatives.

Cesec is dedicated to giving opinions on laws on a variety of topics, such as the economy, employment, culture… Do you divide the membership of the body into specific committees?

“Yes, we have four committees: the Economic Committee, the Development and Territorial Equality Committee, the Health and Solidarity Committee and finally the Education and Employment Committee. Each representative belongs to one of these four committees. In addition, we make sure that each faculty is represented on each committee to ensure diversity of opinion.”

In summary, Cesec’s role is to make comments on government legal texts, what we call “referrals.” How exactly are these opinions produced?

“Each committee deals with the legal text that corresponds to its area. Each committee will then appoint what we call rapporteurs, who will play the role of investigators. They will interview people affected by the bill that is presented. For example, if it is a law on health, they will question the education of doctors, teachers… Then, thanks to the testimonies of all these people that they will analyze, they will write opinions with the help of our lawyers, which will be presented to all the other members of the Cesec during the plenary session. The opinions will then be submitted to the government.”

Is there still something we call “self-referral”?

“Yes, indeed. For example, when a member of the Cesec notices a flaw in the living conditions of a society and believes that the state should investigate this issue. Therefore, he will prepare a document, which will then be verified or not verified during the assembly. If it is approved, it will follow the classic path, go to the committee for investigation, and finally give an opinion and vote in the plenary session. Likewise, the notification will then be sent to the government.”

Cesec members are paid for this work. Therefore, the delegates are paid by the state. Are there any attendance quotas?

“Of course. The remuneration is based on the member’s presence, it is not a fixed salary. The committee and plenary sessions last an average of two hours. For these two hours they will be paid 12,000 francs, but the prerequisite is that they must be present for these two hours. Then, when you are the rapporteur of a Cesec opinion, you get a little more, 17,000 francs, because you are responsible for the text and rapporteurs often have to answer questions from the press or then go and present this opinion to Parliament”.