Board to decide minimum wage

 THE National Minimum Wages Board is in Lae conducting interviews with stakeholders and interested individuals to monitor public views and recommend a new minimum wage. 

The board, led by chairwoman Beverly Doiwa, urged companies, government agencies, employees and interested individuals to attend and give their views.

Doiwa said the nationwide hearing was sanctioned by the National Executive Council through the Minimum Wages Board Office under the Labour and Industrial Relations Ministry.

The NEC endorsed the board to review and determine the appropriateness:

• Of the current method, conditions for wages adjustments as set out in Minimum Wages Board Determination and where appropriate, determine new national minimum wage;
• of all allowances under previous minimum wages board’s determination that includes, heavy duty, rural hardship, housing, industry and risk; and,
• To finalise its findings within three months and report to NEC through Labour and Industrial Relations Minister, Mark Maipakai.

The board has visited Mendi, Mt Hagen, Goroka, Wewak and Madang.

“The board realised that many companies failed to comply with previous wage minimum determination of K2.29 for general labour because of significant reasons,” Doiwa said.

Other issues considered include productivity cost and level, capability and capacity in sustaining productions, labour costs, workplace culture and health, among others.