Foreigners fined K50,000

TEN foreigners were fined K5,000 each for breaching their visa conditions by working in locations and positions not stated in their travel documents.
Chief migration officer Stanis Hulahau said the fines were paid directly into the Papua New Guinea Immigration and Citizenship Authority revenue account.
“A joint spot check operations by Immigration and police on Saturday along Central’s Hiritano Highway netted the foreign nationals and discovery of a foreign agriculture company that abused local workers and employed them as cheap labourers,” he said.
“Upon weeks of intelligence and information gathering, the spot check team made a surprise visit on foreign-owned retail outlets in Gabadi, Inauabui, Apanaipi and Bereina and the arrest of the suspects.”
Hulahau said the inspection team visited a new oil palm plantation in Kubuni, Kuni and was stunned by reports that local workers engaged by the oil palm company were paid K65 and K70 on a fortnightly basis.
“The company employed more than 500 locals as cheap labourers,” he said.
“Some came as far as Kaintiba in the borders of Gulf and Morobe and have to work long hours seven days a week and earn less than K70 fortnightly. Local employees reported that they were restricted to move outside the company premises and were forced to buy food and personal items from a retail store operated by the company.
“Public transport is not allowed and workers have no access to travel. This is a serious case of exploitation of local workers and an abuse of their rights to free movement and fair compensation of their hard work.
“Foreigners must respect our citizens whilst investing and working in the country and should not abuse them. All foreigners must understand that the Government has set the national minimum wages.
“The spot check team will refer the case to the relevant Government authorities for further action.”