Claims refugees skipping work to protest

Nauru's president claims advocates are goading refugees and asylum seekers to skip work on the island to become full-time protesters.

Baron Waqa said he's immensely distraught by recent acts of self-harm that included two refugees setting themselves on fire.

"My message to refugees here on Nauru is to accept they are here and to understand the government of Nauru is doing its best to look after them and keep them safe," he said in a statement.