Malabag gets third term as PEA president

By SALLY TIWARI
MICHAEL Malabag has been re-elected for a third term as president of the Public Employees Association.
Returning officer Paul Wartovo, from the Department of Labour and Industrial Relations, made the declaration, saying there were 50 candidates who contested for posts but some had to be disqualified because they did not meet the criteria.
Wartovo declared Tau Vali as deputy president, Anna Igo as vice deputy president and Malabag as elected unopposed.
Igo was the only woman candidate contesting against four men.
Malabag congratulated the elected executives, urging them to look after the interests of members.
He said among the association’s priorities would be the push for the government to:
l Implement the public servants housing allowance of K250 a fortnight;
l Implement compulsory annual health check-ups for all public servants; and
l Provide health insurance for all public service employees.
Malabag said while the government was keen on providing free health and education services it should consider the needs of its employees in terms of providing better salary.
Other regional elected executives were:
l  NCD – Isowa More and Nawi Bokuik;
l  Highlands – Tom Moses and Nida Itaki;
l Southern – Sipelia Lemeki and Boga Gani;
l NGI – Ludwig Gambi;
l Momase – George Teliki and Lawrence Walemie.