Lae workers rally over longstanding claims

 PNG Power Ltd workers in Lae are joining their colleagues nationwide in urging the company management, board and union to address their long-standing grievances.
The workers had a protest at the company’s workshop yesterday, having stopped work from Tuesday.
They will refuse to attend to faults and blackouts from the end of the week if they do not get a positive response to their demands.
According to the workers, a letter reaffirming the workers’ petition was given out on Tuesday.
The letter was copied to the acting CEO of PNG Power, president of the PNG Energy Workers’ Association, general secretary of the association, the Industrial Registrar at the Department of Labour and Minister for Public Enterprises Ben Micah.
The letter stated that the PPL workers were still standing by their demand which needed urgent noting and other issues that were pending.
They joined forces nationwide to demand immediate cancellations of all dealings and agreements between PAG Insurance, PNG Power and the board and to refund money owed to staff.
They demanded that the Independent Public Business Corporation (IPBC) lift the restriction immediately in accordance with the IPBC Act and pay all dues according to the 2012 Enterprise Agreement, including overdue salary structure review.
They want all safety issues about fibreoptic cables on the company’s power poles addressed as well and the entire PPL board and PAG issue investigated.