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Business |
PNG labourers eyed for WA resource boom
Growing demand prompts Aussie hiring
firm to deploy local workers by year-end
By JASON SOM KAUT
THE country's skilled labourers will
find it easier to get employment in Australia under a “look to
PNG” stance being taken by a Western Australian recruitment
company.
And under a new work permit visa called the “4-5-7” scheme, it
will take a short time to get a permit to work in Australia.
Under an agreement to take effect at the end of this year,
companies in Western Australia through WA company Millenium Card
are expected to visit the country to recruit skilled Papua New
Guinean labourers.
The move aims to meet an increasing demand for skilled labour due
to a resource boom in Western Australia which is now facing
significant skilled labour shortage after recently opening half a
dozen new iron ore mines.
This was revealed last week in Lae by Millenium Card directors
Alan Bodger and David Philips who were there on a week-long
familiarisation visit after accepting an invitation from the
Melanesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCOCI).
Messrs Bodger and Philips visited mining sites and business houses
in Morobe and the Highlands, driving all the way from Lae to
Kutubu and back.
The two executives revealed that “Australia was experiencing a
resources boom that was putting a strain on its skilled labour
market”, and was looking at the world labour market to fill the
vacuum.
But according to Mr Bodger, this emphasis had been “targeted at
Asia and Europe with not much interest in Papua New Guinea”, until
recently following the stance taken by Millenium Card.
“We want to change the tradition of looking mostly to Asia and
Europe. No-one is looking to PNG as everyone is looking at China,
Asia and Europe,” Mr Bodger said.
He said: “PNG is a neighbour, the people speak English and they
understand Australian ways well because of our long-standing
relationships and the strong spiritual link through the Kokoda
Track and World War II.”
The MCOCI through president Miriye will be responsible for the
recruitment drive that was expected sometime during the last
quarter of this year.
Mr Bodger said local workers who meet the requirements under the
new “4-5-7” work visa permit structure, could be guaranteed of
good working conditions on “going market rates”.
“If you have the skills, you get paid at the going rate … a
400-tonne truck driver can look at more than A$60,000 per annum,”
Mr Bodger said.
Areas of employment include drill operators, truck drivers,
welders, mechanics, grader drivers, iron ore labourers, 400-tonne
truck drivers, ore packers, cleaners and others.
“We feel we have a responsibility to provide employment
opportunities where we can whilst the resource boom is still on,”
Mr Bodger said.
Being a resource-rich nation, PNG stands to gain a lot when this
arrangement comes to fruition with labourers returning home and
with more skills that could contribute to the country's resource
development.
 
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