Malabag to talk with govt on ex-servicemen’s claims

National, Normal
Source:

The National, Friday 18th November 2011

THE PNG Defence Force ex-servicemen claims have been given a new lease of life with their fight being taken up by the Public Employees Association.
PEA President Michael Malabag has vowed to re-establish dialogue with the government over two outstanding issues which he claimed are genuine.
Malabag said the incident that happened at Morauta House in which vehicles and office were damaged was unfortunate.
In a meeting with the ex-servicemen at his Fincorp Office, Malabag said he has gone through their claims and found that they were genuine.
He said an agreement was reached between PNG and Australian governments where PNG identified 1360 soldiers to be retrenched in the PNGDF downsizing exercise.
Malabag said out of the nine claims, two remained outstanding – hardship and housing.
“The agreement came in as a package between the two countries. It is binding.”
Malabag said the bureaucrats were misleading the government.

“This is why the PNG Trade Union Congress and Public Employees Association are coming in because from all relevant documents, we find the ex-servicemen have a genuine claim.” Malabag said.
Malabag pledged to talk to Prime Minister Peter O’Neill on the matter.