Govt urged to revisit law

The National Main Stories

By REBECCA KUKU
THE PNG Trade Union Congress (PNGTUC) wants the Government to revisit the laws on sex work and prostitution.
Congress president John Paska’s response came after The National reported yesterday the brutal rape and assault of a prostitute in Port Moresby.
He said it was an inexplicable, animalistic behaviour that should be condemned in its entirety and be done so unreservedly.
“This is plain criminal and the laws of the land must be invoked without hesitation,” Paska said.
“Those responsible must be held to account through maximum jail sentences.” Paska said there were female and male sex workers in the country but being a sex worker did not make them any less human than those who didn’t indulge in sex work.
“Sex work is a well-accepted form of employment in many countries where it is properly regulated,” he said.
“The International Labour Organisation (LO) addresses sex work in its various charters.
“It also recognises it as a form of employment that is entitled to the normal rights and privileges afforded to conventional workers.”
Paska said for most sex workers it was not a question of choice, rather of survival.
“Many sex workers have kids and families to support.
“We can come up with any number of reasons, morals or otherwise to condemn their actions but it will not remove them. They are here to stay.
“Therefore, we need to accommodate them in our laws and institutions.
“The PNGTUC has contemplated forming a union for sex workers over the years but we have not been able to because the laws do not allow.
“Sex workers have unions in other countries. So we must now review the laws to protect sex workers.
“This entails the establishment of brothels.”
Paska said many who condemned prostitutes were bigots and hypocrites.
“They use these prostitutes to satisfy their sexual appetites and then claim to be good Christian, loving husbands at home,” Paska said.
“Some of them are regular self-righteous church goers and even command standing at the pulpits.
“We are living in denial of the realities of the market economy.
“It takes no prisoners and has produced the most unequal society ever known to mankind where women bear the brunt of the worst forms of discrimination and inhumane treatment.”

25 comments

  • just a thought;

    if prostitution is legalised in PNG, the nation will not prosper, many young school aged people will resort to prostitution as a way to earn fast income. The trend were many young teenagers are leaving school/find schooling not interesting is rising rapidly due to unnecessary factors like ‘no lunch money/busfare’. and if prostitution is made legal, what can stop our younger generations from following that path?
    to sum it up, if one studies all the countries were prostitution is legalised, he/she may find that many of these countries are already developed, unlike PNG.
    So why should we legalise the trade???

    • I as a young citizen of this nation supported the idea to make a law to protect sex workers in PNG. Why I said this is because those sex workers are the very citizens of this nation and they deserve the right to be protected by the constitution of this nation. Prostitution is not a new this in the nation. It exists even before we are given the independence by the Australian Government. Prostitution is a form of employment for those who cannot look after them selves in other works of life. We PNG claim to be the Christian nation and the worst one in doing all sort of activities which is against the Law. For the good of those prostitute make law and legalize prostitution in PNG.

  • I am totally disagree with the PNG Trade Union Congress (PNGTUC) statement in the report above. there is no reason for people being involves in the sex works. we are not suppose to be engage in such activities. Why would women and girls involves in the prostitution for living as a PNGian living in the soil of PNG?
    1. We have the land in place to cultivate to earn a living. Having saying this because, while comparing with some other countries like USA and Russia, more than 75% of the land is own by the government while in PNG, more than 75% of the land is customarily own. Therefore, we have no excuse to say we sell our body for living. If you can’t be able to live in the city, go back to your home village. There are free fresh water, firewood, food from the gardens and many other necessities to survive. Because of their own laziness, they try to live a life that would be enjoyable and free by involving in such an activity.
    2. Our government subsidize more money on the free education. Many school age girls left out of school for no good reason and involve in the sex works. They sees that sex work is an opportunity to get money without doing any hard work. if we let this happen, then the coming generation would all left school and fall into that categories. Having saying this because, I as a student find out that studying is not as easy as involving in sex and getting money.
    Therefore, government nor the law should not allow the prostitution to continue in this beautiful country.

  • PNG is one of the richest nation in the world we have land there to cultivate and earn our living
    Sex trade is one of the people who are Lazy to work hard to earn money and Just finding an easier way
    Well if who ever ladies decide to take that path in life please do consider the risk involve and except the circumstance,
    Prime minister JM as just Declared PNG is a Christain nation and people are now asking government to legalise Prostitution. Is prostitution christanity Practise????

  • So you want prostitution to be legalized and regulated properly by the government. You have a problem in your heart boss. What you have said is just demonic. Will you agree if your wife or your daughter leaves you to become a prostitute or your wife vice when you become prostitute. Stop bringing foreign demonic ideas into this Christian nation. If you want to practice prostitution, you go to these legalized countries. Not in Png.

  • John Paska is attempting to promote prostitution in the country. Do you like the idea of your biological daughters and sons becoming a prostitutes?. You need to re-ponder your suggestion.

    Just recall the the way our ancestors survive. You need to go back to the basics of tilling the land, (land cultivation) .

    Moreover, Government has to take stock of this evil happenings and try to create jobs through industrial revolution through agriculture to address this issue. Being a leader in any organizations and seeing it’s negative downfall, you must always ask yourself a question and that is simply question yourself whether you are doing enough or not. That is the question the Gov’t of the day should question themselves.

  • Our nation PNG is a christian nation, so it’s wise not to help sex workers, It would be an abomination to our creator God, so our government should be firm you’ve declared it as a christian nation, they should refrain from these activities

  • just a thought;
    i think prostitution,should stop in this country,because its leads to violence.
    On the same talken ,its also against the bible principle as,we are christian country.

  • Just sent all the prostitute’s back to villages. They are so lucky to come out in public and tell the entire world that they survive by selling bodies to every PNG Men, My God, its incredible. Go home and try it at home and you will be burnt alive. Do you know why all this sickness are coming to our country? Yes Prostitution is one of the very reason and its all starting from the top business people maybe those stupid parliamentarians also, who knows, only our Father in heaven knows. I strongly go against this to be legal. Not good for our souls,

  • Just a kind reminder that we are all privileged to the freedom of speech under our Democracy laws, therefore it is only wise to air our views rather that attacking hence it is only through every human beings’ point of views that comes an understanding into contemplating a better legislation for the betterment of today and the future. My undertaking is in support of the Department Secretary for the Youth Development’s point of view in today’s National articles.

    We need the Legislators to come down to our level (the grassroots ) and rub skins with us so they will truly appreciate the daily struggles we all strive to overcome, i believe it will than motivate them to think outside the box for a better solution in addressing this issue of prostitution. PLEASE REMEMBER THAT WE THE CITIZEN OF THE BLESSED NATION PNG HAVE DAUGHTERS AND SONS, GRAND AND GREAT. LEST WE REGRET THE DECISIONS OF TODAY

  • Prostitution is an act of evil,we are preaching about taking back PNG and make PNG as Back Christian nation so lets start with prostitution.Stop this completely and I think this will be a good start.
    I totally disagree with John Paska for his comments on promoting sex work.

  • Shouldn’t we leave the judgement to God? Shouldn’t we in the name of filial love embrace these women as a part of our society.
    Let us put this on a scale. One one hand, we can enact laws that support these women (akin to European nations ), as a Christian society show them love, the greatest law of all laws according to Jesus, and leave judgement to God. Laws not support prostitution but to protect those engaged in it.
    While on the other hand we can condone the brutal violence, gang rape and murder inflicted on these women like the Pharisees did to Mary Magdalene, as if we have not sinned.
    For all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory, isn’t the most we can do is to love the sinner and not the sin? And the practical application of this is to enact policies that support these human beings?
    Self righteousness will not get you anywhere.

  • Leader is voice to everyone. In the case, John paska has said what he said then, he is doing what he’s doing on that note. This country must not entertain evil interms of legalizing, it’s an open door to flood gates of hell; certainly fall of beautiful PNG. Individual choose to go the way of hell for living are ripping what they are sowing. Both perpartrators and victims. Government, NGO, individual etc must not in any means create vent holes for evil. PNG must be on the side of God. In so doing, criticism, blasphemy, etc are usual to pop. These are cost to pay for country’s exaltation. Good thing does not come easily. According to Proverbs 14:24, righteousness exalts a nation, sin is a reproach to people. This is the truth. Country must uphold truth. Mr John paska, you are trying to put out fire by using fire, what is the logic? Save our country, cease such neck of john paska from now onward.

  • PNG Trade Union Congress President John Pska is the Secretary General of United Labour Party (ULP) Party lead by member for Bulolo, Sam Basil who is the current National Planning and Monitoring Minister. This is one of their major party policies for 2022 national elections so let us be very very careful how we vote for our leaders in 2022.I am total against introductions of Sex Workers in this country. Once we legaluse prostitutions in PNG we will turn rhis great nation into a demonic nation. We want to hear gfrom the Prime Ministers James Marape his views jright now if he is suppirting this stupid idea or not. I also invite rhe churches to come out in public for or against. God Almighty’bless those that are against the devil’s moves.

  • John Paska,
    Your reasonings are cheap. You can’t compare our country to other countries.
    Your ideaology and philosophy (including those who commented on Legalizing Prostitution) are polluted by the Post Modernism view from the Western world (Man’s Reasonings and Opinions).
    Our Ancestors will be ashamed of what PNG is becoming, Prostitution was not a life-style back then.
    The Bible is Absolute and it gives us the Standard on how we should live our lives.
    Moral standards clearly defined and are derived from God’s Absolute Truth (Bible).
    When a country takes God out of the picture, you will be asking for alot of Trouble.
    Do ever wonder why our professionals (departmental heads, ambassadors and etc.) and politicians place their hands on the Bible when they make oaths?
    – The answer is; the Bible is the Truth (it contains God’s Word), and God is the witness.
    God ordained/instituted the;
    1) Family
    2) Church
    3) Government
    If the Government wishes to follow its own agenda. Then you will be held accountable and answerable to God.
    Do what is for the best interest for the majority of the people and lead according to God’s Ways and Standard.

  • 1. Every one is talking that PNG is a christian country referencing prostitute as bad and not tolerated. but every minutes and hours PNGians are making sin more in other Pasins than pasin blo Pamuk. Don’t look only in one angle. every one of us is a siner and we individual have the power of choice.
    2. Its correct prostitutes was active in PNG a long time ago. But increasing in the Sex workers is due to many factors. I see it for today as a indicator of poverty in societies. some people in urban areas have been leaving for generations, they have noting left back at village, even land. they are now part of the urban community.
    3. The market for sex workers is determined by whoever is interested in sex. meaning if the number of sex workers increasing then more PNGians love sex with different partners. that’s reality.
    4. I suggest nowadays we should have a law to guide dressing codes of women and men to avoid Pasin Igris (tingtin sin).

  • I 100% agree with Mr UMU!!!

    GOODNESS PASKA::::“Sex work is a well-accepted form of employment in many countries where it is properly regulated,” he said.

    You might be blinded by the so called influence of the Western World and attracted to their systematic cultural bias but NOT PNG. We have our Cultural Heritage which has been the foundation of our existence and GOD who blessed our Nation beyond measure. We will uphold PNG Laws, Systems and Culture at every step of the way and if that means to ban or abolish Prostitution for Eternity so be it.
    Enough of crooked ideologies to compromise and indulge PNG Customs, Beliefs and Culture.

    Mr Paska, let me remind you that you are just a Pupet of Modernization and a complete Joke to PNG’s identity. People like you think the world is about influence but no… Life is a gift of God and is about what He says and how He intends for Mankind.

    You can take all your facts and figures about views on Sex Workers from other countries and how and why they legalise it but PNG stands on the Word of God from the Bible.

    I wonder why you are still here in PNG. Go to the foreign land and promote your evil deeds out there and leave PNG to Christ.!!!

  • Mr. Paska, you got to mad!!

    You want to legalize it…??

    Come on, were not even near to these other countries that you compared PNG to.

  • Mr. Paska
    You have to think at the negative and positive points of this before you want to legalize this. You legalize this and if your own daughter or grand daughter become prostitute what will you do. come on think about your self first before going out in public.

  • For those taking a religious stand on the issue maybe your judgement is blurred by your faith, you do not fully understand the issue at hand here. Those responsible should be found and brought to justice. We are all human beings and citizens of this country. We all have rights and deserve to be treated fairly, no matter what we do for a living.

  • prostitution is the worlds oldest profession and it is here to stay regardless of how you feel about it.

  • Think about the negative repercussions that it will have on you (as a Prostitute), to your family and the negative criticisms that will come from the community. Em sem samting na sem Pasin ya.
    You will definitely loose your self esteem, your dignity, you will be looked upon as nobody and an object for men to use.
    Your identify will not be respected and you will be the talk of the town.
    Other girls, ladies and mothers will look down on you and despise you for who you have become.
    Those so call friends (pimps) of yours don’t care about you, they are there to use you for there advantage.
    Yu sik, na kisim bagarap na stap nobody will come for your aid.
    Those of you who talk smart on Legalizing Prostitution, you are talking behind the shadow of your comfort (good homes, better education, job, money and etc).
    You don’t know what is at stake or what’s out there for them.
    Unless, you live your chairs on high places na walk the streets na go into settlements na etc Bai yu save.

  • It is Better to come up with a well sorted out constructed game plan to help them (Prostitutes). The Government, NGOs, Business Houses and Churches should come with better alternatives as the way forward.
    We cannot turn a blind eye on what’s going on. Prostitution is a disease that will cripple and destroy the lives of Individuals, families and etc.
    Those so called elites, think Strategically on how best we can help them.
    Helping them to earn an income in an acceptable way is a win, win for both parties.
    Legalizing Prostitution will cause strife and division amongst the people of this Nation.
    With that all said, Majority of the Population are against it.

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