New union for mine workers in Morobe

MINE workers in Morobe now have a registered union to look after their interests.
The Morobe Mining and Allied Workers Union was registered recently as an industrial organisation recognised by the Department of Labour and Industrial Relations.
The new union is an affiliate of the Papua New Guinea Trade Union Congress.
General secretary Albert Uba said the union was formed to look after interests of members and to ensure they had just and safe working conditions.
The newly established union will draw members from Hidden Valley, Hamata, Wafi-Golpu, Bulolo, Wau and other mine exploration areas, including contractors and sub-contractors.
The registration fee is K5 per employee plus a 2% fortnightly deduction from the employees’ salaries and the money deposited in the union’s account.
Uba said the union already had 500 registered members and was looking at 5,000 members after a recruitment drive.
He said employees had the freedom whether to join the union.
He said the union would work closely with managements to establish good working relations to ensure a win-win situation for both parties.
“We’ll give priority in establishing a good relationship with the company management and the company has to take good care of the workforce if they want to increase productivity and pro­fitability,” Uba said.