Foreigners penalised

FORTY foreign nationals operating businesses in West New Britain have been penalised for various minor beaches of their visa conditions.
The Immigration and Citizenship Authority during their spot checks there last week collected more than K150,000 in fines and penalties from the offenders.
The spot checks targeted retail, wholesale and logging companies in Kimbe, Bialla town and at logging camps in Ulamona and Mekar.
“The spot fines and penalties imposed for the breach of visa conditions are prescribed under the Migration Laws and we apply them when the breaches are minor or not serious that do not require removal,” Chief Migration Officer Stanis Hulahau said.
“However, we may arrest, detain and remove or deport non-compliant foreign nationals if they overstay their visa or conduct themselves in a manner that is criminal or serious under PNG laws.”
Hulahau said West New Britain was a significant contributor in terms of tax and levies from commercial and logging activities but there was still a need to ensure compliance in all the sectors.
Apart from the usual visa checks, the spot check team sighted non-compliance of other Papua New Guinea laws in the two logging sites operated by Vanimo Jaya in Ulamona and Mekar in Bialla.
The team reported unregistered fleets, including heavy duty machineries and trucks that transported logs and passengers.
Hulahau said there were allegations of mistreatment and low salary rates reported by local workers at the two logging sites and he was urging respective government authorities to step up their efforts to make sure companies were compliant with the domestic laws.
“My officers who go out to carry out checks cannot charge or penalise non-compliant companies for breaches outside Migration laws so I’m urging other State departments/authorities to step up their efforts in protecting our local businesses and workforce,” he said.
The Immigration-led spot check operations in Kimbe was carried out with support from PNG Customs and police.