Find balance between rights, safety: PM

BY GLORIA BAUAI
PRIME Minister James Marape says companies must find a fine balance between safe work practices and the rights of the people to be employed.
This follows concerns by some employees in Lae who claim to have been sacked or forced to resign after refusing to be vaccinated against the Coronavirus (Covid-19).
“We cannot compromise workplace safety, but at the same time, the law (says) you cannot force people to get the vaccination,” Marape said.
“Finding a fine balance between these two is very important and many employers have been trying since last year.”
Marape met employees of the Lae International Hotel, Lae Builders Contractors, Lae Electrical and Lae Furniture Export last Friday who were protesting against the management and owner Sir Bob Sinclair.
“There’s a law called the Workplace Safety Act,” he said.
“We must be mindful that companies feel their workplace safety is compromised and are concerned.
“Open your minds and think in a bigger perspective that they make money and profit and in the long run, you will have your job because if the business is closed, you will be unemployed.”
Marape said he would be sending a team from the National Control Centre (NCC) to Lae this week to meet with companies.
“I’ll send the NCC team here to meet with the employers under the Lae Chamber of Commerce and Industry and see that your right to employment is reserved but at the same time workplace safety is ensured,” he said.
“If they don’t practise the new normal like masks and hand sanitisers and force vaccination only, they’ll be asked to adjust their laws.”