‘Pay system bias’

THE PNG Trade Union Congress (PNGTUC) has described the dual pay system within the public service as discriminatory and urged the Government to do away with it before more professionals leave the country to seek greener pastures elsewhere.
The PNGTUC made the call at a luncheon hosted by the National Doctors Association after concluding a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Health Department and Department of Personnel Management earlier last week.
The dual salary system refers to the higher salaries paid to expatriates who were employed on a contract basis and the lower salaries paid to nationals in the public service.
The MoU was expected to see a reclassification of allowances for doctors.
Meanwhile, Public Employees Association president Michael Malabag reiterated his call for a full structural review of employment conditions to meet the challenges of the Government’s Vision 2050.
“Public servants must be paid on merit.
“We must ensure that there is value for money,” he said in supporting the congress’ stand.
Mr Malabang said the association had begun negotiations with the Department of Personnel Management and other agencies on the issue of addressing structural changes to ensure that public servants were recognised for their performance.
PNG Medical Society president Dr Mathias Sapuri indicated last week that the dual pay system was unfair and was contributing to deteriorating standards of living for PNG families.