Niningi stands firm: It’s a boycott and it’s illegal

The National Main Stories

By REBECCA KUKU
BOYCOTT of classes by University of PNG staff is illegal and in contempt of court, says Higher Education Minister Pila Niningi.
Niningi told The National yesterday that the court order taken out by UPNG did not apply to the National Academic Staff Association (Nasa) only but to all staff of the institution.
He said that the court order restrained them from taking any industrial action, including stop-work action or withdrawing of their services.
The minster of Higher Education, Research Science and Technology made the statement after more than 1000 staff from the university boycotted classes since Monday.
The staff gathered yesterday at the University’s Drill Hall to show their unity in protesting against political interference despite a threat of contempt hanging over their heads.
Staff spokesperson Dr Unus Digim’Rina told a press conference that the protest would go on for an indefinite period until their grievances were addressed.
“I want to make it clear that this is a voluntary protest and we are not a group or Nasa, we’re just staff who think that the recent political changes are not right so we are therefore exercising our democratic rights to protest political appointments,” Digim’Rina said.
“We also call on the DHERST Minister Pila Niningi to come clear and tell us who the staff is or are that are involved in the sex scandal as it portrays a very bad image with no name and just allegations made to the media. All the male lecturers are looked at like they’re sexual predators.
“So please, come out clear and tell us who they are?”
Another spokesperson, Taporoa Isorua, said that the minister should come forward with names and stop sensationalising the sex scandal to deviate from the real issues.
“We have issues that we want addressed and we will not be attending classes till our concerns are addressed,” she said.
The university staff have called for:

  • The immediate appointment of Dr Frank Griffin as the vice-chancellor and the reinstatement of the Registrar, Dr Peter Putsal; and
  • The removal of the current interim council and a new one appointed or the old one reinstated.

However, Niningi said that their protest was illegal and was in contempt of the court order.
“My office is always open, send Nasa executives or staff spokespersons, I am happy to receive them and listen to their grievances,” Niningi said.