Execs urged to look after workers

THE Papua New Guinea Maritime & Transport Workers Union has called on PNG Ports (PNGPCL) executive management to focus in exposure of its young dedicated and potential Papua New Guineans to further their knowledge in the port industry’s administration and management.
President John Mahuk said this over the weekend when criticising a trip last week by three PNGPCL executive managers to the 35th Pacific countries port association conference from Sept 6-7.
PNG Ports, as the country’s port authority, was represented by chief executive officer Brian Riches, chief commercial officer Stanley Alphonse and chief operations officer Michael Nye.
Prior to the conference, they were required to undergo a port facility security officer training.
However, Mahuk said executive managers should be furthering knowledge of their upcoming, potential junior employees.
“Any invitation to attend educational conferences or seminars to further knowledge of ports administration must be given to junior officers as a priority.
“Consultant or technical contract officer in PNG Ports should not be attending seminars or conference to further their knowledge at the expenses of the state and workers of PNG.”
Mahuk said a consultant or technical expert engaged by PNG Ports should already have the knowledge of ports operations and should not be furthering his or her own educational interest.
“PNG Ports has a very highly educated PNG workforce that should be given the opportunity to further their education and it is incumbent on consultants or technical experts to provide these.
“The 35th Pacific countries port conference is a classic example of the PNGPCL executive management not fulfilling their obligation on educating and training of their employees.”
Riches said, in a statement prior to the conference last week, that the port facility security officers training was intended for training personnel being entrusted with the role of port facility security.
However, CEOs and other executive managers of maritime ports were now required to undergo the training.
“It is a role that is becoming more challenging year by year as the threat of terrorists, drug and people trafficking, smuggling and criminal activities such as cargo theft continue to increase,” he said.