Over 1,000 staff resign over policy, says Namah

By MIRIAM ZARRIGA
THE Opposition claims that more than 1,000 mine employees at the Newcrest Mining Ltd’s Lihir Gold Mine have tendered their resignation because of the “no jab, no job” work place policy.
Opposition Leader Belden Namah said the policy had increased the number of the unemployed which added to the 3,600 Porgera Gold Mine workers out of work when Prime Minister James Marape had closed the mine.
“The 7,000 forestry workers unemployed when Marape increased log export taxes from 35 per cent to 59 per cent and the many thousands who could have been employed at the construction phase of Papua LNG had not been delayed by Marape as well as the delayed startup of the Wafi-Golpu Mine,” he said.
In a statement, Lihir Mine general manager Johan Labuschagne said a section of the workforce had staged a sit-in protest, raising concerns about the office of the controller’s number three domestic measures of Sept 24.
These directives require all people travelling by air into and out of high-risk provinces to be fully vaccinated.
“Newcrest Lihir has received PNG Government approval for a transitionary arrangement to allow our employees and contractors from high-risk provinces to travel to the site and get vaccinated or return to their home provinces until Nov 15,” Labuschagne said.
“If an employee chooses to resign over that, it is their right.
“However, we would encourage them to take some time to consider their decision carefully and the impact it will have on their future and the future of their families.”
However, Namah said: “There are no political interests behind the protests (nationwide).
“I will never incite any protest marches during this Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, however, I am not surprised that such moves are afoot.
“You are seeing people react to a situation where their rights and freedoms are being taken away and thrashed.
“I have said this on the floor of Parliament and I say it again.
“Our freedom is God-given at birth and must be respected.
“The right of freedom is an unqualified right at birth.
“Hence, the right to freedom of choice is also an unqualified right.”