Mixed feeling on jobs

THE government’s decision to bring foreign doctors, nurses and teachers has met with mixed reactions from Papua New Guineans operating in these professions.
Generally, it is agreed there is a severe shortage of skilled manpower but those spoken to by The National yesterday expressed concerns about outstanding awards for Papua New Guineans and for improved terms and conditions before foreign counterparts could be brought onshore on better pay.
Employing foreign doctors, nurses and teachers would put a strain on the availability of accommodation, facilities and budget, Port Moresby General Hospital acting chief executive officer Dr David Mokela said.
“However, the government’s proposal to lift the ban prohibiting them is commendable to bridge the gap in the specialised medical areas in the country,” Mokela said.
He said the hospital was in the process of recruiting 10 nursing officers from the Philippines.
“We are not happy with the move because our grievances are still outstanding,” Dr Alex Peawi, an emergency and medicine specialist at the PMGH, said.

Peawi said some nurses and doctors were still jobless and those employed were living in settlements.
The Papua New Gui­nea Teachers Association general secretary, Ugwalubu Mowana, yesterday asked if foreign teachers would be prepared to teach on local terms and conditions and if they were not, whether the local teachers’ terms would be lifted to match the fo­reigners.
He said the government must train Papua New Guinean teachers or send them overseas for training before recruiting foreigners.
Prime Minister Peter O’Neill announced on Monday that the government had lifted restrictions on recruitment of nurses, doctors and teachers because of severe shortages in these fields.
He said talks were advanced with authorities in Australia and the Phi­lippines to source these professionals.
He did not say how many would be coming, when and on what pay.