IRC will dock slack workers’ pay: Koim

THE Internal Revenue Commission (IRC) will make salary deductions for employees continuously absent from work, arrive late or leave early without a valid excuse or authorisation.
IRC commissioner-general Sam Koim said this would begin this month.
“Unfortunately, it has become a norm and acceptable among staff in the PNG public service to walk in and out in their own time,” Koim said.
“Some come in late, some come in and spend only two or three hours at work and some hardly come to work, yet receive full pay from the Government. “These are often the same people to be the first to voice their opinions loudly and publicly when there is the slightest delay in payments or benefits received.”
He said in the private sector, it would result in on-the-spot termination, often without any notice or warning.
“This abuse of our government machinery must stop, and it must stop at the IRC,” he said.
“Every IRC employee signed a contract to clock in 73.5 hours every fortnight. Despite the Government being faithful in paying public servant, including IRC staff, for the full 73.5 hours, they have been absconding their responsibilities, receiving full pay, yet not delivering.
“This amounts to stealing or receiving pay for work not delivered.”
Koim said the Government allocated more than K5 billion annually for public service salaries.
“The decision to implement salary deductions is driven by IRC’s dedication to maintaining integrity, enhancing efficiency, and maximising productivity in fulfilling its core mandate of tax revenue collections.”