MP orders probe into foreigners

 By ELIZABETH MIAE

THE Department of Labour and Industrial Relations will investigate claims of foreigners illegally working in Manus, Minister Mark Maipakai says.

He told parliament yesterday that the claims would be investigated as a matter of urgency. 

Manus MP Ronny Knight had asked Maipakai to investigate all expatriate workers and the conditions of their visas and work permits. 

Knight suggested that the department and ministry send a team to investigate and educate foreigners who might be ignorant of the country’s laws.

“Manus has been flooded with all types of machineries recently. I myself have watched expatriate operators drive them off the landing craft onto the shore,” he said. 

“Unfortunately it does not stop there. These aliens are currently operating trucks, graders and whatever on the ground you can put a wheel behind. 

“I don’t think these foreigners’ work permits and visas state their real qualifications such as operators.”

Knight  said those jobs were meant for PNG citizens.

He said Manus was full of experienced local operators who were watching other people take their jobs.

“Some contractors recruited and employed skilled labour – the locals. These people are qualified clerks, IT technicians and tradesmen,” he said.

“They are relegated to cutting grass, filling water coolers and washing dishes and minimal jobs. It seems they are employed only just to show that they are given equal opportunities when in fact it’s a farce.”