By CLIFFORD FAIPARIK
Papua New Guinea Defence Force soldiers from the rank of privates to second lieutenants will have a rise in their pay probably by March, Defence Minister Bob Dadae said yesterday.
And new pay levels have also been created to accommodate the new PNGDF’s structure such as deputy commander, contract colonels, environmental commanders, major units’ commanding officers and second lieutenants.
In a statement announcing the major pay adjustment for the PNGDF soldiers Mr Dadae said:
“The difference of the new base salary and the old with effect from last Jan 1, 2007 will be paid as back pay on pay period 4 this coming fortnight.”
“The base salary and service allowance adjustments will come into effect on pay period 5 and thereafter all other work related allowances will come into effect.
“Service allowances have been adjusted from a minimum of K43 to K65” he said.
“All Domestic Market Allowances (DMA) have been adjusted, especially for the pilots and technical members of the Force.
“Temporary Rental Allowances (TRA) have been adjusted from K20 to K50,” he said.
Mr Dadae said, “All other work related allowances have also been given major adjustment and will be implemented and paid by way of claims”.
“Recruits and officer cadets’ payments have also been adjusted substantially,” he said.
Mr Dadae said that the new pay structure would be implemented in three phases - implementation of back-pay payment, base salary and service allowances and all other work related allowances.
“This is part of the National Executive Council’s decision to reform the PNGDF, ”he said.