Disgruntled hospital staff return to work

PORT Moresby General Hospital (PMGH) staff who had protested over overtime allowances on Wednesday returned to work yesterday, chief executive officer Dr Paki Molumi says.
Dr Molumi said he met three representatives of the disgruntled staff to understand the nature of their claims.
He said because the hospital was an institution, he believed in looking after staff who delivered patients care in difficult circumstances.
“We ensure all their awards and allowances, leave fares and wages are paid on time,” Dr Molumi said.
“The purpose of their sit-in protest, especially the corporate service staff, was regarding claims over Coronavirus (Covid-19) overtime allowances.
“They claim that they should receive overtime Covid-19 allowance for continuing to provide service during the Covid-19 lockdown period when the rest of the public servants were away from work.
“The Port Moresby General Hospital will calculate overtime on the appropriate rates per different categories of the workers and check against the electronic time and attendance.”
He said the claim would be calculated and requested authorities to fund it.
“If it’s funded as requested, we will pay them,” Dr Molumi said.